the filipino - catholic

CATHOLICThe Filipino

VOL. 14, NO. 10 Spreading the Good News May 12 - June 9 , 2010

SANTACRUZAN

Our Lady of Antipolo atFlores de Mayo in Floral

Park, New York

sa village

OUR LADY OF MANAOAG

During the month of May, Filipinos celebrate “Flores de Mayo” or Flowers of May. It is a beloved festival that honors the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Santacruzan is a festivity that commemorates Queen Helena’s search for the Holy Cross. According to legend, Queen Helena, mother of Emperor Constantine, discovered three crosses. She instructed one of her sick servants to lay on all three crosses and the one where the servant was miraculously healed was believed to be the True Cross of Christ. The anniversary of Queen Helena’s discovery of the cross is on May 3.

• May 12 - June 9, 2010 • The Filipino Catholic

L DY and Her Children Pilgrimages

$2445** If paid before August 31st, 2010

Includes flights from Newark airport

$2245*Category 1, inside cabin

MAR 17(Thu): DEPART USADepart from the USA for a transatlantic flight to Athens.

MAR 18(Fri): ARRIVAL ATHENS - EMBARKATIONArrive m Athens. Meet and greet at the airport. Drive to Piraeus Port and embark your cruise ship, enjoying the fellowship of other Christians and excellent teaching.

MAR 19(Sat): THESSALONIKI - VERIAThessaloniki-Visit the Walls, The House of Jason where Paul lived and the Agora where he preached. Continue to Veria-ancient Beroea- to the memorial commemorating Paul’s preaching to the local Jews in 54 AD.

MAR 20(Sun): KAVALA - PHILIPPIKavala (ancient Neapolis), the site where Paul, Timothy and Silas landed on the coast of Thrace. From there, visit Philippi where Paul lived, preached and was imprisoned and the Baptistery of Lydia, where the first baptism on European soil took place.

MAR 21(Mon): ISTANBULIn the morning we arrive in Istanbul, one of the world’s greatest historic cities. Formerly Byzantium, the center of the Eastern Roman Empire, this city is built on seven green hills and situated astride two continents. East meets West in every way. We visit the Topkapi Palace with its harem and fabulous treasure chambers, the Sultan Ahmed (Blue) Mosque with its six minarets, and St. Sofia, converted to a mosque from a Christian basilica after the fall of Constantinople in 1453.MAR 22(Tue): DIKILI - PERGAMON

A tour from Dikili (our port) is to Pergamon, the great city of Bergama and a city of the Book of Revelation. It is one of the best-preserved ancient sites in Turkey.

MAR 23(Wed): KUSADASI - EPHESUS - MILETUSArrive at Kusadasi. Visit Ephesus, the most impressive archeological site in Turkey, including the Great Amphitheater where Paul spoke to the Ephesians. An afternoon tour to Miletus, where Paul delivered his touching farewell address the elders of Ephesus and predicted his death, for those wishing to visit the place.MAR 24(Thu): PATMOSPatmos, the “Holy Island” for the Christian faith. This is the place where the apocalyptic Revelation of John was written during his exile from the Roman Empire. We visit the cave and the monastery of St. John.

MAR 25(Fri): DISEMBARKATION - ATHENS - CORINTHDisembark the cruise ship and begin the tour of Athens. Visit among other masterpieces of the “Golden Age” the Acropolis, the agora and the Mars Hill where Paul taught. Continue to ancient Corinth. Visit the ruins of the ancient city where Paul worked. See the remains of first-century shops, the agora where Paul was on trial at the Bema, the Fountain of Peirene, Temple of Apollo and visit the museum. Return to Athens. Overnight.M A R 2 6 ( S a t ) : D E PA RT AT H E N S Transfer to the airport and fly back home

ITINERARY

Contact for more information:Evelyn Buenafe

LADY and Her ChildrenTel/FAX 201-210-2495

E-mail: [email protected]

Cherry Gumapac: 732-485-6006Stella Infante: 951-735-3663

Arnold Buenafe: 415-690-7252

Christian actors will dramatize on boardthe life of Paul and other biblical characters.

INCLUSIONS* Roundtrip Air out of Newark* 7 nights cruise incl. all meals (B,L,D)* Athens and Corinth tour* Airport and port transfers* Shore excursions* One Night Athens

Plus airport taxes: $ 492 p.p.Plus port taxes: $ 248 p.p.Plus fuel surcharge: $ 63 p.p.

Steps CRISTAL

Under Spiritual Direction of

Rev. Frank Cregan, OAR

Category 3, outside cabin

cordially invite you to join us to follow the ...

THE FOOTSTEPS OF ST. PAUL andTHE BOOK OF REVELATIONS CRUISE

March 17 - 26, 2011

Lady and Her Children invites group leaders to a familiarization trip to Steps of Paul and Book of revelation Cruise November 4 to 12 $999.00 only, for would be group leaders and coordinators. This FAM trip includes Air line ticket from New York/New Jersey.

Your FAM cost/fare will be fully refunded when you book your next group with us on March 17, 2011. Please see ad for daily Itinerary Spouse travels the same price. Only group leaders who will make a group deposit of $ 100.00 per person, for March 2011 Cruise at least 15 + 1 (free) passenger. Please call for more information, Evelyn at(646) 775 1164.

Deposit of $600.00. Send to: Evelyn Buenafe, 289 Grace Ave Secaucus New Jersey.

The Filipino Catholic • May 12 - June 9, 2010 •

The Filipino Catholic (BN96001443), an independent

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Contributing Writers& Columnists:

Rev. Peter James R. AlindoganRev. Euly B. Belizar, Jr.

Rev. Basilio ColasitoMsgr. R. Dimaculangan

Art EsguerraRobert FernandezAndrea Florendo

Fr. Alfred GuthrieAraceli Medrano

Norma PascualJohn Primi

Fr. James ReuterSonia S. SalerniRene TubillejaMaria Pascual

Laura VogelJeanne Young

PhotographyHenry Medrano

Albert Betito

Circulation & DistributionJun MakinanoWendel Javier

Spiritual DirectorFr. Joe Cadusale

Editor & PublisherManny Pascual

Write us at:The Filipino Catholic

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TheFilipino

Catholic

Of faith and Practicality

by Rene Tubilleja

The May Bonanza of Blessings“With God nothing shall be impossible.“

- Luke 1:37

Manny Pascual

frOM thE EditOrTwo men came to a doctor’s waiting room. The younger of the two sat to the left of the other, and initiated a conversation. The older man just tilted his head, gave some signs and said “Right ... right”. The young man continued talking to the old man without really getting any proper response. This went on for a while until the old man, who was evidently hard of hearing, cupped his right ear to listen and said painstakingly, “Right ear ... right ear”.

One of life’s frustrations, is the unfortunate situation of not being heard.

When we have prayed for a long time and have stormed heaven’s gates without getting any answer, it is easy to think that our prayers had fallen on deaf ears. This, of course, is a silly notion. God is not deaf. A good question to ask ourselves might be, “Do we take the time to listen to what God is asking us to do?”

If the young man in my story had stopped long enough to listen or to pay attention to the signs given by the old man, he might have realized sooner what he was being asked to do in order to be heard.

Prayer is a two-way conversation with God. As in any conversation, we are not to do all the talking. There comes a time when we have to be still and silent so that we can understand what God is saying to us.

Although God does not speak audibly to our ears, he does speak to us in many different ways. God speaks to us through his Son Jesus, his Word and his commands . He also speaks to us through his Holy Spirit, through our conscience, through other people, and even through our circumstances.

However, all kinds of sounds come to us from every direction and they take away the uninterrupted focus that we owe to God every day. And even when we make an effort to turn down the volume of the world around us, the mind continues with its nonstop chatter. We continue talking to ourselves about our worries and regrets, our anger and frustrations, our judgment of others, our plans, our desires and of course, our needs.

“Speak Lord, your servant is listening.” 1 Samuel 3:1-20. We must approach prayer with a listening heart. Those who have been doing the talking for a long time may find this quiet prayer to be a difficult transition. I probably would. But it is certainly worth the effort everyday to spend time tuning in to God and his Word.

What can we do that our prayers may pierce heaven’s gates? I don’t know about you but I know that I have a lot of listening and learning to do. What does God require of us that our prayers may be heard? I believe the answer comes when we stop long enough to listen with our hearts and our spirit.

In the end, if we are patient with our trials, if we seek the Lord’s will and commands, if we give him the focus and attention that he deserves, I imagine that we might begin to understand what he requires of us ... or we might hear the soft silent voice within us which will lead us to God’s light and fill our longings with his spirit and his love.

“What does Yahweh require of you, but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?” (Micah 6:8)

“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.” (John 10:27)

The flowers and blue skies are back! It’s spring time again. It’s May. And yes, it’s about time. That last winter was harsh, not so much for the cold, the bitter wind, and the great deal of snow, but for the awful timing. We had just gone through a devastating economic crash that took us into winter with depleted resources. Many of us suffered cold and hunger for the very first time in our lives. Many of us thought we would never survive. Many of us prayed like never before in our lives.

The flowers and the good weather are signs that our prayers have been answered. Those who continued to have faith through all the trials are now being rewarded. There is no way that our prayers are not going to be answered. God who never lies promised it Himself: “Ask and it shall be given to you; seek and you shall find.” May is the month that God chose to show us His love. May is the month of Jesus’ Ascension into Heaven, the month of the Holy Spirit coming down to inspire and console His faithful, and the month of the celebration of the Holy Trinity. We Filipinos also dedicate the whole month of May to the daily laying of flowers at the feet of Our Blessed Mother. Our churches and chapels resound with children’s songs and prayers every afternoon in May, and finishes off the month with a fiesta-like procession in her honor.

The month of May is like a bonanza of blessings, for even the Saints we commemorate in May are usually our most popular patrons. St. Joseph the Worker celebrates his feast day on the 1st of May. He is Jesus’ father-figure, protector, provider and of course, childhood hero. We should come to him for our economic needs, as he understands our predicaments and has an incredible power of intercession with Our Lord who once called him “Dad.” St. Philip and St. James on May 3rd are two of Jesus’ closest friends and apostles. St. Matthias, on May 14th, who replaced Judas after his betrayal and death, had been a disciple of Jesus since His baptism at Jordan. One of my favorite Saints who has been my intercessor for matters of health since my childhood is St. Rita of Cascia (May 22nd). When I was 12, after a novena to St. Rita, I miraculously got healed of my asthma that used to debilitate me during my early years. That miracle, which I thought was near impossible, gave me the chance to be able to enter the seminary. I have never had a single attack since then. Later in life, St. Rita also helped me out with another almost impossible feat—to quit smoking. St. Philip of Neri, known to be the most jovial and humorous of the Saints, was the personal favorite of my late father. His own birthday fell on the feast day of St. Philip on May 26th. Venerable Bede and St. Joan of Arc also are celebrated in the month of May. Rounding up the joyful celebration of sanctity on May 31st is the Visitation of Mary to Elizabeth, in an expression of great charity even at the expense of her own comfort and little resources.

Common to all the saints above is a virtue that they practiced to a heroic degree, that of being forgiving. They forgave their enemies, even to the point of death. Forgiving entails great sacrifice, which is why it truly is a saintly virtue. But our human nature, prone to vin-dictiveness, prevents us from doing it. So it is important that we receive divine strength to accomplish it, and our Patron Saints who have done it in their life are there to help us obtain this grace from Our Lord. Let’s start with baby steps and be a bit more forgiving of little an-noyances around us this month of May. We don’t have to wait for the big occasions to forgive, because little sacrifices like these can add up and could even prepare us for that big occasion, if it comes. Let us offer these sacrifices to Our Mother, as the most fragrant bouquet of flowers that we can lay at her feet, to the hymn of Salve Regina that our children would be singing in their Flores de Mayo daily visits.


FROM THE PULPIT

by Fr. Peter James R. Alindogan

Rev. PJ Alindogan is the pastor at St. Charles Borromeo Church in Cinnaminson, NJ. This homily was delivered on May 2, 2010.

The Language of Love

Imitating Mother MaryJohn 15:9-17

by Fr. Mike Lagrimas

I am sure most of us find it interesting when children speak their mind about love. Concerning why love happens between two particular people, Jan, 9, says, “No one is sure why it happens, but I heard it has something to do with how you smell. That’s why perfume and deodorant are so popular.” What is the proper age to get married? Judy, 8, says, “Eighty-four! Because at that age, you don’t have to work anymore, and you can spend all your time loving each other in your bedroom.” What do most people think when they say I love you? Michelle, 9, says, “The person is thinking: Yeah, I really do love him. But I hope he showers at least once a day.”

And how to make love endure? Tom, 7, says, “Spend most of your time loving instead of going to work. Roger, 8, says, “Don’t forget your wife’s name. That will mess up the love.”

Like these children, love is still a mystery to most of us. In his book Man’s Search for Meaning, Victor Frankl wrote, “A thought transfixed me: For the first time in my life I saw the truth as it set into song by so many poets, proclaimed as the final wisdom by so many thinkers. The truth—that love is the ultimate and highest goal to which man can aspire. Then I grasped the meaning of the greatest secret that human poetry and human thought and belief have to impart: the salvation of man is through love and in love.”

Love is the language of God. When God created the earth and sent His Son, it was because of love. When His Son decided to save the world, it was because of love. And when the Holy Spirit dwelt upon us in every action we make, it is because of love.

Jesus became the Word of God because to know Jesus is to know love. God wants us to love one another as he has loved us. How has he loved us? Always and ever. No matter what, when, who, where, why. No matter how. God loves us to death and that makes me shudder in thought. Because if we have to love as Jesus wants us, we need to love one another until death.

All of us who have been in love and had been loved know what that kind of love means. No lover is immune to tears and suffering. Every lover knows the value of pain and loneliness. For without the readiness to suffer, without the inclination to cry,

without the offer to sacrifice, there can never be love. Loving one another can never be easy, but love is the way to God. Pierre Teilhard de

Chardin may have said it best, “It is impossible to love Christ without loving others, and it is impossible to love others without moving nearer to Christ.”

It is part of our human nature that not everybody can like us. It is also part of our being human that we cannot like everybody. Maybe we find some of them obnoxious and rude. Maybe we just do not like them. Or, perhaps we see them as reflections of ourselves and we do not like what we see.

There will always be an excuse to not liking people. But there is no excuse in not loving. How can we not love if every breath we take is an expression of love? How can we not love if every life we bring to this world has been a part of love? How can we not love if the very life we have now and the life promised to us are consequences of love?

It would be great if love were just ours for the choosing. It would be neat if love were just ours for the picking. It would be so convenient if love were just left to our own regard and consideration.

But real and true love is not like that. It will not be love at all if we are choosy, picky and finicky. Love does not just welcome a few, but accepts all. Love does not just choose a few, but embraces all. Love does not just prefer a few, but affirms, respects and forgives all. As Shakespeare wrote in Hamlet, “There’s the rub.”

There is a deeper reason to love one another. That reason is in the word forever, which means heaven for us who believe. We have to love because love is forever. And, if love is not forever, what is forever for? As the song says, “When I fall in love, it will be forever.”

In the movie Butterflies Are Free, the superficial, scatterbrained nymphet played so well by Goldie Hawn is portrayed in the act of running away from her blind lover. She explains her flight, “…because you are blind. You’re crippled!” In the most profound moment of the movie, the young man replies, “No, I am not crippled. I am sightless but not crippled. You are crippled, because you can’t commit yourself to anyone. You can’t belong!”

Jesus wants us to love one another because He wants us to belong, to become and to be with Him forever. Real love changes people because it means commitment to love forever. A love that is forever sheds its temporary masks of insecurity and accepts the real you. A love that is forever has no games to play or roles to do. A love that is forever is ready to share, to sacrifice and to offer.

In heaven where love is forever, words we know would mean nothing. And before the God of everything, the language He would speak is the language of love.

Four brothers left home for college, and became successful in their chosen careers. In a few years they became very rich. One time they got together, they talked about the gift each one gave to their elderly mother. The first said, “I had a big house built for Mom.” The second said, “Mom loved the movies. So I built for her a mini-theatre in the house.” The third said, “I bought a Mercedes limousine for her so that she can go anywhere in style.” The fourth said, “Mine is the best gift. You know Mom loved reading the Bible everyday. But her eyes are not that good anymore. I met this priest who told me about a parrot that can recite the entire Bible. It took twenty priests twenty long years to teach him. I pledged $100,000 annual contribution for twenty years to the church to

acquire this parrot, but it was worth it. Mama says the chapter and verse and the parrot will recite it.” This really impressed the other brothers.

After the holidays, Mom sent out thank you cards to her sons. She wrote: “James, the house you built is so huge. I live in only one room, but I have to clean the entire house. Thanks anyway. “John, the theater is just amazing! It can easily accommodate fifty people. But all my friends are dead, I’ve lost my hearing and I’m nearly blind. I’ll never use it. Thank you for your kindness.” “Jess, I am too weak to travel by car. I just stay home and order everything online. I will never use the limousine. Thanks for the gift.” “Dearest Jake, of all my sons, you are the only who has the good sense. Your gift was great! The chicken was delicious! Thank you.” (Adapted from Fr. M. Ezeogu)

This Sunday we celebrate Mothers’ Day. We express our endless gratitude to our mothers for their love and care for us. Truly, mothers are God’s instruments in imparting to us the gift of life and they have shown us the example of unconditional and self-sacrificing love. A group of second grade school children were asked this question: What’s the difference between moms and dads? Here are their answers:

1. Moms work at work, and work at home; and dads just go to work at work. 2. Moms know how to talk to teachers without scaring them.3. Dads are taller and stronger, but moms have all the real power ‘cause that’s who

you got to ask if you want to sleep over at your friends.

4. Moms have magic; they make you feel better without medicine.To all the mothers present today – grandmothers, stepmothers and spiritual mothers

included – we offer you our unending gratitude and love. God bless and protect you always! Happy Mothers’ Day!

But as we give due tribute to our earthly mothers, we look at the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of Jesus. On the cross, Jesus entrusted her to us as our Mother. Since then, she has become our mother, the mother of all mankind, the Mother of the Church. Mothers’ Day belongs to her, first and foremost.

In the Gospel this Sunday, Jesus said: “Whoever loves me will keep my word, and my Father will love him and we will come to him and make our dwelling with him.” Mary is “blessed among women”, the greatest of all mothers, not because of any personal merit of hers. She still is a mere creature. Her greatness comes solely from God. She became truly pleasing and special in the eyes of God for she loved Jesus in the most perfect way; she kept his word in her heart; and so the Father loved her. In her, therefore, dwells the Triune God. Through her humble and unconditional obedience to God’s will, she has become the Privileged Daughter of the Father, the Immaculate Mother of the Son and the Beloved Spouse of the Holy Spirit. In short, Mary she is the God-bearer (Theotokos), the New Ark of the Covenant. Her true greatness lies in the fact that God perfectly dwells in her.

We cannot imitate Mary in her Immaculate Conception – that is her unique privilege for her role as the Mother of the Son of God. But we can imitate her by being temples of the Holy Spirit, living tabernacles of the Most High. In Baptism, not only did we become God’s children; we also became God’s dwelling place. God resides in us for we have become His beloved children in Jesus Christ.

This is precisely the reason why Jesus identified himself with us, especially in the poor and the oppressed. In Mathew 25, he was categorically strong in his declaration: “Whatsoever you do to the least of my brothers, that you do unto me.” In fact, this is the ultimate basis of the Last Judgment. We will be judged according to how much we have loved one another, especially the poor and the underprivileged, for truly, God resides in each one of us.

A little boy was asked where we could find God. He quickly replied: “Inside Mom’s shoes!” And he explained: “When Mom goes home from work, she would always say: ‘Thank you, O God!’ every time she takes off her shoes.”

This Sunday, let us offer this Eucharist in thanksgiving to God for our mothers, living and departed, who have loved us so selflessly. Let us thank God for giving us Mary, the Mother of Jesus, to be our Mother also. And let us thank God for giving us the same privilege as Mary – living tabernacles and dwelling places of God. Like mothers, let us conceive Jesus in our hearts, and through our lives of true holiness and love, share him with others. This is the best way of giving the greatest glory to God.


FAMILY and CULTURE

by: Fr. Ronald S. Quijano, SThD

Flowers of MayThe month of May is known as the Flores de Mayo, a time dedicated for catechesis of

children and devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary. It may be a pastoral strategy set by the early missionaries since most of children stay at home during summer and parents should work in the fields during the day. Since rain usually falls on the first week of May, it is a sign that parents should start tilling the land. Thus the kids are entrusted to the local catechist at the chapel every afternoon to learn the basic prayers, bible stories, songs, rosaries, novena and floral offering to the Blessed Mother. Snacks are also served, normally coming from the daily sponsor, who may also be their parents.

I observe, however, that some barrio chapels are built closer to the basketball court or plaza. During afternoon catechism, children are easily destructed due to the noise com-ing from the basketball game, loud music for disco, or maybe from TV sets of a nearby house. Remember, the chapel does not have facilities conducive for learning the faith like blackboards or over head projector. The catechists only utilize the cartolina for instruc-tion or dictate orally the subject matter to be memorized by the children. No wonder that I overheard the kids telling one another, “Come on, let’s go the chapel, it’s already time for takesis!”

Aside from the Summer Catechetical Institute at the Sacred Heart Seminary every month of April to professionalize our catechists, the CSA-B is also sponsoring the Center for Integrated Faith Formation for the whole year. These are good signs that we recognize the importance of catechism in our parish community. The Commission on Catechesis I believe is organizing Mini-CI to the different parishes to train local catechists to assist the Flores de Mayo celebration. I am amazed by the generosity of young professionals, retired teachers, and volunteer students eager to teach the faith to our florestas. It is a way of sow-ing the seeds into the hearts of these children and allowing them to grow to maturity.

How I wish that we invest more on catechetical ministry in our parish. Let us improve our pastoral strategy and even our facilities to attract the attention of the young to the Word. Be generous to share not only our material resources but also our gift of persons, our time, knowledge and skills. A ministry which does not cost anything, accomplishes noth-ing! St. Paul says, “God loves a cheerful giver.” Any amount of kindness we show to our catechists for teaching the faith, will never go unrewarded. Lastly, an adequate catechesis which focuses on the cognitive, affective, and practical dimensions of man will certainly initiate inner change among our people.

LasallianationLa Salle’s University Week celebration last September 22-26 adopted the theme: In-

vasion of La Sallian Animo or simply called La Sallianation. It is a combination of two words: Lasallian and Nation. The change that we want to see in our country begins in every Filipino, in every Lasallian. It poses a great challenge indeed on how to make the spirit of U-Week activities much greener. The event is not just about wearing green t-shirt for one week, not just about fun- filled interesting activities, not so much on who is the strongest and most talented, not just about having no classes for several days. Rather, it is about us – who we are today as Lasallians, how we have been in the past, and what we can do to improve our future.

Imagine, there are 17 La Sallian district schools in the Philippines, with a total of around 97, 000 students. Take note almost 10,000 students are coming from USLS, St. Benilde and St. Joseph’s, including the alumni, teachers and staff. Such is a great bulk of people to initiate change if we are just willing to do it together. Central to our La Sallian vision-mission is our commitment to Faith, Zeal for Service and Communion in Mission. These are the values we need to embrace if we really want to see inner change. As our desire for change is imperative for every Lassalian, hopefully the same passion for change should permeate all strata of our society.

Jesus demands inner change for those who wish to learn in the school of discipleship. “My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and put this into prac-tice.” Jesus does not neglect his natural mother or his cousins. In fact, he comes home because he loves them. But he emphasizes a deeper meaning here, that membership to his spiritual family transcends blood relationship. There is no “kamag anak incorporated” or nepotism in Christian discipleship. Mary is a perfect model of discipleship, not because she’s his natural mother, but deep within she listened to the Word and put this into practice. The change that we envision for our Lasallianation will indeed come true if we commit ourselves wholeheartedly, not only as listeners but also doers of God’s Word.

Aiming for a Virtuous LifeAristotle described in his Nicomachean Ethics the inner life of the city of Athens. He

coined the word eudaimonia which means “the best possible life” as the ultimate goal of every Athenian. To achieve this purpose of life, every Athenian must possess necessary virtues. The city, in order to be prosperous, must be ruled by a philosopher-king. Resi-dency in Athens, however, was acquired not by birth but by the age of eighteen. To be a philosopher-king, the person must study virtues for fifty five years. To sum up: 18 + 55 = 73, by this time the politician has no more sensual desires for power, prestige, money, and even beauty. His concern is solely for the common good, on how to make his people experience eudaimonia.

The Jewish monarchy, on the other hand, was established by God with two condi-tions: The King should speak in behalf of the God, and he should protect the rights of the anawim or the poor ones of Yahweh. It was during the time of David and Solomon where the united monarchy experienced its golden years. Once there is economic abundance, expect also of a moral backlash. David was guilty of adultery with Bathsheba and the

death of her husband, and Solomon was guilty of sexual immorality and of bringing the kingdom on the verge of bankruptcy.

The Prophet Isaiah (Is. 11:1-10) was the first to announce the coming of the Messiah, a king like David and Solomon but better than them. In him the spirit of God will have his indwelling: 1). A spirit of wisdom and intelligence, as Solomon had; 2). A spirit of prudence and strength, like David; and 3). A spirit of knowledge and respect for the Lord, as Moses and the Patriarchs had. The main purpose why the Spirit of God is invoked for those who serve the public office that they may live a moral kind of life.

Isaiah described the imagery of the coming of the Messiah-King: “The wolf will dwell with the lamb; the leopard will rest beside the kid; the calf and the lion cub will feed together; and the cattle will lead them. Like cattle, the lion will eat hay…by the cobra’s den, the infant will play.” The Kingship of the Messiah will bring unity, peace, love, and full reconciliation of people.

It is the start of political campaign. Every political candidate has his own gimmick to attract the attention of voters. Let us support virtuous leaders who can truly bring renewal and progress; and have the will to put an end to this culture of lying, cheating, stealing, killing and systemic corruption crippling our nation. How I wish that our Filipino politi-cians should learn not only from the wisdom of the Greeks and the Jews but from the Spirit of God himself!

Blessings of Victory at 150th

My home parish in Victorias City, Our Lady of Victory Parish, is celebrating her 150th foundation anniversary like the Immaculate Conception Parish of Murcia and St. Joseph the Worker Parish of E.B. Magalona. The blessings of Jubilee (Lv. 25; Is. 61; and Lk. 4:16-20) consist of joyful thanksgiving, forgiveness of sins, and restoration of God’s creation. I made a random list of all priests and religious coming from my home town and it showed 30 priests all. Victorias City has four parishes now (Our Lady of Victory, Mt. Carmel, Daan Banwa, and Vicmico) but it is nice to highlight the priestly and religious vocations coming from this place for they are the fruits of the community prayers, asking God to send more shepherds to care for his flock. Among the thirty priests, the diocesan priests are 12, the religious priests are 18 (majority are Salesians and 1 Recolletos). Among the thirty priests, there are 23 who are still in the ministry, 5 left the priesthood, and 3 deceased). One of the priests elevated to the episcopacy is Bishop Broderick Pabillo of the Archdiocese of Manila. There are three religious brothers and around 25 sisters belonging to different congregations. Seminarians as of the moment are growing in number. Since faith comes through the context of the family, we also give higher appreciation to married life as a vocation for it is the seedbed of vocations to priestly and consecrated life.

Every parish as I observe is unique in terms of their faith experience and growth as a community. There are phenomenal practices proper only to a particular parish. For in-stance, when we were kids, we were asked by our teachers to drop by in the Church after the class, to say thank you to Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament even though our school was few blocks away from the Church. When I was a seminarian I happened to inquire from Msgr. Manuel Dormido about this practice. He explained that our teachers now are the same young students frequenting the Church before, and been taught of moral values and devotional practices. When they became teachers, they simply transmitted to their students what they acquired from their elders. No wonder that even during weekday masses, there are hundreds of people present in the church as if it is like Sunday.

The present church edifice was constructed during the time of Fr. Crispin Ruiz, a medi-cal doctor who became priest. He was succeeded by his cousin Fr. Manuel Dormido in the early 1950’s. At that time they could hardly finish their project due to lack of funds, so both of them sold their inheritance, their family lands in Taloc, just to fulfill their vision for Victorias. They offered everything for the growth of faith of the people they loved and served! Fr. Casimiro Lladoc, the one who officiated the wedding of my parents in 1960’s built the rectory, and all my siblings were baptized in that Church. The space allotted for me in Adsum may not be enough to narrate all the succeeding events during the time of Fr. Jose Mangon, Fr. Ruperto Palma, Fr. Roberto Bayona, Fr. GG Gaston, Fr. Rodolfo Pacheco, Fr. German Templa, Fr. Aris Dormido, Fr. Jiji Caraig, Fr. Tomas Rito, and now Fr. Orlando Gargar, and their associate priests who assisted our parish. They all served my parish with so much love. I think of the thousands of baptism, confirmation, communion, anointing of the sick, confessions, marriage in that church. If only the bricks, the rocks, the wood, the walls and pavements can speak, they will certainly say that there is never a time when God is closing his eyes on his people. It is in that place where I served as an acolyte since grade five and realized my priestly vocation through active involvement in different ministries, services and fellowship with the priests and the parishioners. We have been blest by many zealous and kind hearted pastors for many years. In their honest dedication to work, they have left a great impact in the hearts of believers. The fellowship experienced by the lay associations and members of BEC, the services rendered by the liturgical ministers, family life ministers, and catechists are fruits of the collaborative ministry shown by the priests to their flock for many years. If ever we see clearly now, it’s because we are just standing at the shoulders of our predecessors. Indeed their names have been written not only in the archives but in the hearts of the faithful. Congratulations!


happeningsby AA Medrano

20th Sayawan sa VillageThe Filipino Pastoral Ministry hosted another

successful event in the village sponsored by the Santo Nino Prayer Groups of New York (SPG-NY) on Saturday April 24, 2010. For years the Sayawan sa Village has always been the leading event in the village. This year’s event was a huge success because of your support. For 20 years, the annual Sayawan sa Village has proven its staying power once again. We are grateful to all of you for your continued patronage. And for all those who missed the all night dancing event, we hope to see you next year. In addition to the all-night danc-ing, door prizes were given away, and there was a surprise KURATSA dance performed by Fr. Romy Montero and Marichu as the finale.

FEAST OF OUR LADY OF MANAOAGThe San Lorenzo Ruiz Association of America (SLRAA) celebrated the feast day cel-

ebration of the Queen of Most Holy Rosary Our Lady of Manaoag held at the Immaculate Conception Church in Jamaica, Queens on May 2, 2010. The beautiful celebration was hosted by the San Lorenzo Ruiz Devotional Group of Jamaica Estate chapter. The proces-sion started after 4:00 P.M. immediately followed by the concelebrated Mass officiated by Fr. Matthew Didone, C.S., Provincial Superior of the Missionaries of St. Charles Borromeo as main celebrant and homilist. The concelebrants of the Mass were Msgr. Oscar Aquino, Msgr. Bayani Valenzuela, Fr. Mark Escobar, Fr. Jed Sumampong, Pastor, Immaculate Con-ception Church, Fr. Nil Villaviza and Msgr. Romulo Montero as master of ceremonies.

Other participants in the Mass: Lectors - Stephen Pappas and Damara Viray, Altar servers - Dado Acayan, Romy Zamudio, Douglas Ealdama, Ed Pascual. Eleanor Parico and Dr. Prosy Lim, the incoming 2011 Hermano and Hermana Mayores led the prayer to San Lorenzo Ruiz. The offertory participants: Flowers - Marilyn Viray, Petition Basket-Violeta Salvador, Fruits -Marina Dionela, Wine - Liza Viray, Ciborium -Paz Viray. The past hermanos and hermanas mayores led the congregation in the offering of flowers. Bro. Adolfo Novio, the music director and Sally Alonso, cantor of Our Lady of Pompei church provided the music for the Mass.

Congratulations to the 2010 Hermanas Mayores, Liza and Maria Paz Viray and their families for a very beautiful and successful celebration. Liza Viray placed the crown made out of fresh flowers to Our Lady of Manaoag after their installation as hermanas mayores. Maria Paz led the prayer to Our Lady of Manaoag.

The officers and members of the San Lorenzo Ruiz Association in America, Inc. (SLRAA) and the San Lorenzo Ruiz Devotional Chapter- Jamaica Estates would like to express a heartfelt gratitude to all of you who have contributed their time, effort and financial sup-port for the successful celebration of the Feast Day of the Most Holy Rosary Our Lady of Manaoag especially to all devotees of Our Lady of Manaoag and San Lorenzo Ruiz who attended the celebration. And especially to our FRIENDS, SPONSORS, DONORS, BENEFACTORS – Thank You for your continued support.

Santo Nino Novena and FiestaAfter the successful Sayawan sa Village sponsored by the Filipino Pastoral Ministry

and the Santo Nino Prayer Groups of New York, the focus now is on the preparation for the 27th annual Pistang Pilipino sa Village in honor of the Santo Nino and the 20th annual Flores de Mayo & Santakrusan sa Village. The weekly novena Mass in honor of Santo Nino that started on Sunday two weeks ago will continue until the feast day celebration

on June 20, 2010.The traditional transfer of the Santo Nino image to the different sponsor every week

for each chapter is done at Our Lady of Pompei during the nine Sunday’s novena.

This year’s Santo Nino Fiesta is hosted by the Santo Nino Prayer Groups of New York – Manhattan chapter.

20th Flores de Mayo and Santakrusan sa VillageThe annual Flores de Mayo and Santakrusan sa Vil-

lage held every year by the Filipino Pastoral Ministry began on Sunday May 2 for the weekly flower offering of the children to the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Young girls and boys of different ages were able to experience our cherished tradition of “Pag-aalay ng bulaklak sa Mahal na Birhen”. If you would like your children to participate, please come and bring flowers for the Virgin Mary at Our Lady of Pompei Church, on Sunday for the 3:00 P.M. Misang Pilipino. Everybody is welcome.

The culmination of the weekly Flores de Mayo will be on May 30 with the Crowning of the Image of the Blessed Virgin Mary followed by the procession or the Santakrusan sa Village with the different Sa-galas. The Reyna de las Flores will crown the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Reyna Elena will lead the annual procession in the village.

Ashley Laurencio is the Reyna Elena for the 2010 Flores de Mayo and Santakrusan sa Village. Selection of other participants is still in progress. This year’s hermana mayor – Aida Valdeviezo and coordinator, Chit Laurencio are spearheading the preparation for the Santakrusan sa Village.

2010 Reyna Elena Ashley Laurencio

The very successful SAYAWAN SA VILLAGE is a yearly event at our Lady of Pompei. Photo shows Fr. Romy Hontiveros and Fr. Fritz Penarandahaving fun with the ladies at the party.

Lisa Viray , 2010 Hermana Mayor of the Feast of Our Lady of Manaog, crowns the image of Our Lady during the celebration at the Immaculate Conception Church in Jamaica, Queens last May 2.


On SchEdUlEMasses, novenas, fiestas and other important religious celebrations.

“This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.”

-- Ps 118:24

by Gene Salle

Mother’s Day celebration at PompeiHAPPY MOTHER’S DAY TO ALL MOTHERS!We invite all mothers to come and celebrate Mother’s Day at Pompei. Honoring all

mothers every year is the annual tradition initiated by the Filipino Pastoral Ministry at Our Lady of Pompei Church in Manhattan. All Mothers are welcome. They will receive special Mother’s day blessing and blessed roses as a token of appreciation to all mothers present. Please come for the 3:00 P.M. Filipino Mass followed by a reception after the Mass for all.

22nd BACLARAN SA VILLAGE - Novena to Mother of Perpetual HelpThe nine days perpetual Novena to Our Mother of Perpetual Help started on April 21

and will continue every Wednesday until the feast day celebration on June 23, 2010 at Our Lady of Pompei church. Ms. Nelia Cloma, this year’s Hermana Mayor is coordinating the preparation for the 22nd Annual Baclaran sa Village celebration. Come and join us every Wednesday for the Novena Mass in preparation for the feast day celebration.

“Straight from the Heart...A Prayer Companion”Rev. Fr. Mario Jose C. Ladra, a Filipino diocesan priest and author, was the main

celebrant of the concelebrated Mass on April 18, 2010 at Our Lady of Pompei Church. Fr. Mar was in New York to promote his book, “Straight from the Heart...A Prayer Com-panion.” It is a book of prayers that has touched lives and has changed hearts of thousands of people. This piece of work was inspired by the kind of faith of those seeking refuge, healing, peace, relief and joy that only God can give. A number of cancer patients who are using this book are truly healed and blessed by God.

Proceeds of the book sale will be given to the Immaculate School of Theology, Vi-gan City and Immaculate Conception Seminary of the Diocese of Bulacan, Philippines. Likewise, part of the proceeds will support the feeding program of the San Lorenzo Ruiz Parish of San Jose del Monte, Bulacan.

Straight from the Heart is published by St. Pauls and endorsed by Cardinal Gaudencio Rosales, Archbishop of Manila. With a donation of $8 you could have a soft bound copy with plastic cover. This book is the best gift of love.

If you would like to have a copy, you could send e-mail to [email protected] or call the office of the Filipino Pastoral Ministry 212 727 0214. Limited copies provided by Fr. Ladra are available at Our Lady of Pompei FPM office.

April Birthday CelebrantsHappy Birthday to all celebrators for the month of April who were included in the Mass

of Thanksgiving on April 25 at Our Lady of Pompei led by: April 02- Vicki Ann Cignarella, 05 - Rosalinda Nolasco, 07 - Tiffany Adalem, 10 - Ashley Laurencio, 11 - Caleb Miguel Erana-Lee,12 - Victoria Anna Cignarella, 13 - Gina Valenzuela, 14- Frank Cignarella, 17- Perla del Mar, 18 - Ma. Salome H. Alonso, 28 - Annie B. Swanson, 29 - Daisy M. Garcia & Sonette Vitug Narciso, Ging Papa, Norie P. Claveria, Tess Salvador, Jeremia Salvador, Alicia Arellano, Florence Sikorski. May the Lord shower you with all the blessings from above. Those who were present during the Misang Pilipino were given special birthday blessings by Msgr. Romy Montero.

New Schedule of San Bartholomew Novena MassThe president of Katbaloganon, U.S.A. Ruben Cinco and hermana mayor, Orange

Avisado announced the new schedule for the Novena Masses in honor of the St. Bartho-lomew, Patron Saint of Catbalogan, Samar. The first three Novena Masses will be held at St. Valentine’s Church located in Bloomfield, New Jersey starting on June 12. The rest of the Novena Mass will continue at Our Lady of Pompei Church starting on July 3rd Sat-urday evening. To all the devotees of St. Bartholomew, the Katbaloganons and Warays, please take note of the new schedule of the Novena Mass.

June 12 – 27 Sundays 3:00 P.M.– St. Valentine’s Church, 125 North Spring St Bloom-field, NJ 07003

July 3 – 31 , Saturdays 6:30 P.M. – Our Lady of Pompei Church, 25 Carmine St. New York NY 10014

For more information, please contact Orange Avisado or Ruben Cinco.

MAY 2010 EVENTSMay 15, 2010Diocesan Feast of Our Lay of Peace andGood Voyage (Antipolo)3:00 PM Procession and Rosary5:00 PM Filipino Mass St. Robert Bellarmine Church 56-12 213 Street, Bayside, NY 11364May 16, 20101:30 PM - Filipino Mass St. Joan of Arc Church 82-00 35th Ave. Jackson Heights, NY 11372 (Every 2nd Sunday of the Month)2:00 PM - Filipino Mass Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church, 101-41 91st Street, Ozone Park, NY 11416 (Every 3rd Sunday of the Month)2:30 PM - Filipino Mass Guardian Angel Church 2978 Ocean Parkway, Brooklyn, NY, 11235 (Every 3rd Sunday of the Month)5:00 PM – Filipino Mass St. Bartolomew Church 43-22 Ithaca Street, Elmshurst NY 11373 (Every 3rd Sunday of the Month)May 16, 2010 Flores de Mayo3:30 PM - Procession5:00 PM – Filipino Mass Our Lady of the Snows Church 258-17 80th Avenue, Floral Park, NY 11004May 22, 2010 Flores de Mayo5:30 PM - Procession6:30 PM – Filipino Mass Our Lady of Mercy Church 70-01 Kessel Street, Forest Hills, NY 11375 (Every 4th Saturday of the Month)May 23, 20102:00 PM – Filipino Mass Corpus Christi Church 31-30 61st Street, Woodside, NY (Every 4th Sunday of the Month)5:00 PM – Filipino Mass Most PreciousBlood Church (Basement) 32-23 36st Street, Long Island City, NY 11006May 30, 20103:00 PM – Filipino Mass Our Lady of Miracles Church 757 East 86th Sreet Brooklyn, NY 11236

JUNE 2010 EVENTSJune 5, 20107:30 PM - Filipino Mass – First Friday Sponsored by FDA and Apostleship of

Prayer St. Jude Church 1677 Canarsie Road, Brooklyn, NY 11236 (Every 1st Friday of the Month)June 5, 2010 6:15 PM - Filipino Mass St. Brigid Church, 409 Linden Street, Brooklyn, NY 11227 (Every 1st Saturday of the Month)7:00 PM - Filipino Mass Presentation Church, 88-19 Parsons Blvd., Jamaica, NY 11432 (Every 1st Saturday of the Month)

June 6, 201012:15 PM - Filipino Mass St. Patrick Church, 39-38 29th Street, LIC, NY 11101 (Every 1st Sunday of the Month)2:00 PM - Filipino Mass Our Lady Help of Christians Church, 1315 E. 28th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11210 (Every 1st Sunday of the Month)1:30 PM - Filipino Mass Our Lady of the Island Eastport, Long Island Long Island Expressway, Exit 70 (Every 1st Sunday of the month)June 13, 20102:00 PM - Filipino Mass Incarnation Church 89-43 Francis Lewis Blvd., Queens Village, NY 11427 (Every 2nd Sunday of the Month)2:00 PM - Filipino Mass St. Rose of Lima Church 269 Parkville Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11230. (Every 2nd Sunday of the Month)2:00 PM - Filipino Mass Church of Holy Child Jesus 111-11 86th Avenue Richmond Hill, NY 11418 (Every 2nd Sunday of the Month)June 20, 20101:30 PM - Filipino Mass St. Joan of Arc Church 82-00 35th Ave. Jackson Heights, NY 11372 (Every 3rd Sunday of the Month)1:30 PM - Filipino Mass Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church 101-41 91st Street, Ozone Park, NY 11416 (Every 3rd Sunday of the Month)2:30 PM - Filipino Mass Guardian Angel Church 2978 Ocean Parkway, Brooklyn, NY, 11235 (Every 3rd Sunday of the Month)5:00 PM – Filipino Mass St. Bartolomew Chapel 43-22 Ithaca Street, Elmshurst NY 11373 (Every 3rd Sunday of the Month)June 26, 20102:00 PM – Fiesta sa Baclaran OLPH Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church 111-50 115th Street, So Ozone Park, NY 114206:30 PM – Filipino Mass Our Lady of Mercy Church 70-01 Kessel Street, Forest Hills, NY 11375 (Every 4th Saturday of the Month)June 27, 20102:00 PM – Filipino Mass Corpus Christi Church 31-30 61st Street, Woodside, NY 11377 (Every 4th Sunday of the Month)5:00 PM – Filipino Mass Most PreciousBlood Church (Basement) 32-23 36st Street, Long Island City, NY

FILIPINO PASTORAL MINISTRY OUR LADY OF POMPEI CHURCH SCHEDULE OF ACTIVITIES May to June 2010Wednesday 6:30 P.M. Mother of Perpetual HelpSunday 3:00 P.M. Misang Pilipino *First Friday 6:30 P.M. Mass and Holy HourFirst Saturday 6:30 P.M. Cenacle

May 24 Sun 3:00 PM May Birthday Celebration30 Sun 3:00 PM 20th Annual May Crowning & Santakrusan Aida Valdeviezo, Hermana Mayor*Fellowship and Free line dancing after the MassJune06 Sun Philippine Independence Day Parade04 Fri 6:30 PM 1st Friday Mass & Holy Hour20 Sun 3:00 PM SANTO NIÑO 27th Feast Day/ Father’s Day Sponsored by the Santo Prayer Groups of NY 23 Wed 6:30 PM 22nd Feast day of Mother of Perpetual Help Nelia Cloma, Hermana Mayor 27 Sun 3:00 PM June Birthday celebration*Fellowship and Free line dancing after the Mass


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taGalOG

Alay kay Fr. MikeRey Lauron

Peter James R. Alindogan

ZarzuelaAwit ni Ka Naldo

MISAEL SARITA BACLEON 1948 - 2010Matagal nang panahon ang nakalipas

noong itanghal namin ang zarzuela sa aming lalawigan. Ikalabing daang taon ng pagkatatag ng Sorsogon at sinariwa namin ang isinulat ng isang taga roon. Ang pamagat: Pag-ibig sa Tinubuang Lupa at ako ang gumanap ng papel na Alfredo. Asawa niya si Conchita. Katulong nila si Teban at kalaban namin ang mga Kastila.

Dalawa ang nilikha kong kanta. Ang isa ay para kay Alfredo. Paalam at Pagmamahal naman ang pangalawa, awit na kaduweto niya si Conchita. Inihahabilin niya ang kanyang asawa dahil sasama siya sa himagsikan. Matagal rin ang panahong hindi sila magkikita. Kaya sumabay sa pagtulo ng luha ang bawat salitang binitiwan at ang bawat tunog ng kanta. Nakakatuwang isipin na maaari palang pagsabayin ang lahat ng iyon.

Ngunit mas maraming natuwa sa awit ni Teban. Huwag ninyong tuksuhin si Teban, wika niya. Dahil marami daw siyang alam. Dala ang walis bilang panangga at nakalilis ang pantalon bilang paghahanda, bumabatingaw ang boses niyang binigyang timbre ng pinaghirapang pawis at pinahirang dugo.

Halos isang dosena kaming mga kasali. Matagal din kaming nag-ensayo at naipalabas pa namin sa karatig na lalawigan. Tatlo ang naging direktor na kung sa atin-atin lamang, talagang nakapagtatakang isipin. Hindi naman kami mga batikan. At mas lalo namang hindi kami mga tulisan na dapat bantayan tulad ng zarzuelang ginagalawan.

Sa bawat umpisa ng pagtatanghal, may panalangin kaming isinasambit na lalong nagbubuklod ng aming samahan. At sa bawat eksena, may mga katauhan kaming isinasabit na nakakapagbigay buhay sa aming panalangin.

N a p a g t a n t o k o n g a n y o n n a maihahalintulad ang buhay sa isang zarzuela. Iba’t ibang tao sa iba’t ibang papel sa iba’t ibang tagpo ng iba’t ibang karanasan. Iba’t ibang galaw sa iba’t ibang kulay ng iba’t ibang dahilan sa iba’t ibang mundo. Iba’t ibang bilang sa iba’t ibang paraan sa iba’t ibang dibuho ng iba’t ibang daigdig.

Iisa lang ang nagbubuklod: ang katauhang umukit at humubog. Siya rin ang nagsulat at gumawa ng kuwento at ang musikero na naglapat ng tono. Masasabi ba nating Diyos lamang ang itinutukoy ko?

Marami pang Alfredo, Conchita at Teban sa mga panahong ito. Marami pang mga Kastila at himagsikan sa buhay na ito. Iba na siguro ang mga pangalan. Ngunit parepareho ang mga ginagalawan, isinasambit at isinasabit.

Ang buhay nga naman. Isang Zarzuela.

Ito manding si Ka Naldo, panauhing manunugtogNuong taong siyamnapo, sa simbahan nitong lungsodDuon sa Calle Catorze, Abenidang A, B,C,DInmaculada Concepcion, simbahang may sinasabi.

Ngunit lalo’t higit bantog ang simbahang sinusugodDahil nga sa manga Pinoy na duon ay nagbubuklodLalo’t araw ng Miyerkoles, nobena ang nilulusobKapag linggo ng El Shaddai tila baga sangsinukob.

Anupanga’t si Ka Naldo sa barkada napasusog;Sa awitan, sa dasalan, sa sayawan sumusugod;Manga kasapi ng koro yaong siyang nagtaguyodUpang laging kaagapay itong inyong abang lingkod.

Ngunit bakit isang araw ang masakit po sa loobYaong siyang iniangal, ipinanangis ng lubosAking anak na si Jose ay may kanser yaong likod;Bale baga’y tatlong taon buong katawan ay lipos.

Kaarawan niyong Carmel, kapistahang dinadaos;Ating Inang si Maria, pinagdiriwang ng lubos;Yao’y taong dalawang libo saka isa nang maraosKamatayan niyong anak na sa Ina inihandog.

Siya mandi’y inianak, isang libong tao’t pitoAraw niyong Inang Mahal niyong Banal na Rosaryo;Miyerkoles ay ang nobena, Ina ng Laging SakloloKung kaya nga’t pinanganlan niyong Banal na Esposo.

Nuon pa nga’y takdang araw sa bantog na PamantasanAy aawit yaong sikat na Soprano sa bulwaganSi Evelyn Mandac nga po na nagbuhat pa sa JuilliardNuo’y siyang panauhin, alay kundiman sa lahat.

Ito namang abang lingkod bilang isang magaaralMakikinig, sasaksihan yaong sikat na palabas;Yaong manga tinatampok ay ang guro na kukumpasNg orkesta niyong bansa, sasaliw sa pahimakas.

Yaong tampok na awitin niyong gabi ng awitanAy ang likha niyong guro na “Sa Ugoy Niyong Duyan”,Alay na rin ng Maestro, Lucio San Pedro ang ngalan;Bukod pa sa kanyang ina at ina ng magaaral.

Bilang ninong nitong lingkod ang Maestro’y nalulugodNa ang mahal kong kabiyak naghihintay na magdulotNiyong aming tanging bunso na sa araw na kasunod;Ang “Sa Ugoy Niyong Duyan”, magsisilbing pampatu-log.

Yaong sikat na Soprano, taong tatlumpong nagdaan;Ngayong dito sa Nuweba York saka naman natagpuan;Sa pagawit ng pag-ugoy muli kong inanyayahanKay Jose ko na yumao, nawa’y kanyang maawitan:

“Sana’y ‘di nagmaliw ang dati kong arawNang munti pang bata sa piling ni NanayNais kong maulit ang awit ni Inang Mahal;Awit ng Pagibig, habang ako’y nasa duyan.

Sa aking pagtulog na labis ang himbingAng bantay ko’y tala, ang tanod ko’y bituin;Sa piling ni Nanay, langit ay buhay;Puso kong may dusa’y sabik sa ugoy ng duyan.

Nais kong maulit ang awit ni Inang Mahal . . .O Ina . . . O Ina . . . O Ina . . . “ Titik ni Levi Celerio Himig ni Lucio San Pedro

Mandi’y hindi makapasok yaong si Evelyn MandacDahil sa dami ng taong nakiramay at nagpuyatSa misa na idinaos, umawit si Gloria Sambat;At ang huling pahimakas, walang iba’t si Fr. Mike:

“Bakit baga sa sandali ng aking pagmamadali

Upang magmisa nga dito, Funeral Lynch ang may-ariItong ropang may dibuho, isusuot kong napiliAng larawan niyong Ina yaong siyang nakatahi.

“Heto nga po’t siya kong suot, kung inyo pong ma-panuodAy ang larawan ng Ina, Laging Saklolo ang bungsod;Samantala’y siya rin po kasaysayang dinudulotNg programa nitong misa ng maganak siyang han-dog.

“Wika’y nuon nga sa umaga, bago pa nga lumisan na,Alas kwatro ng umaga sa tahanan ng pamilya;Gumising daw yaong anak na si Joseng nasa kama;Tinatawag, ginigising, natutulog niyang ama.

“Siya mandi’y nakatayo naghihintay ng paglayoPatungo sa palikuran nang makita yaong anyo;Itong ama’y naguluhan sa anak na nakatayoSa kama ay nakatakda sa pagdumi siya’y bigo.

“Yaong tanong nitong ama sa anak na ‘di balisaSa pagtayo at paglakad tila mandin magiisa,‘Bakit anak ikaw ngayon, nakatindig at handa naSa paglakad sa kasilyas na ngayon ay nagbaha na.’

‘Ako mandin ay inakay ng alalay na dalaga;Pagdumi sa palingkuran, ako po ay dumaos na.’‘Ngunit papaano mandin may tutulong na dalagaGayong siya’y dumarating, a las nuwebe ng umaga.’

‘Siya nga po ang sa akin ay nagakay nang dumatingAlalay ang aking kamay, tila ako’y bubuhatin.’Agad kanyang itinuro and larawang nasa dingding,Larawan ng ating “Ina, Laging Saklolo” ang turing.

Agad ay kinilabutan itong ama sa larawan,“Ina ng Laging Saklolo” ang sa anak na tinuran;Agad mata’y nagluhaan sa ganoong nasaksihan‘Ano’t yaong Ating Ina sa ganuon nakialam.’

Mandi’y yaong umaga rin sa may Carmel na simba-han,Itong ama ay tutugtog sa ilaya ng Manhatan,Panandaling hanap-buhay yaong anak iiwanan,Habang siya’y nakaratay sa banig ng karamdaman.

Kaagad nga sa paguwi, ama ay nagmamadaliUpang agad paglingkuran ang anak nga kung palagiSa sandali niyong sakit ng kanser na naghahariNaghaharing kamatayan, huling hingang panandali.

Sa tanong ko ng pagbati, kalagayan niyang hintiTugon ay katahimikan at umid na manga labiTumitig na malumanay at nagsuka na palagiTila baga huling hiling, anak ng lingkod na muli.

“Ano baga’t yaong ropa na suot ko, ‘di tuwina, ay ito ngang may larawan na dibuho niyong Ina;Tila baga sinasaad na sa atin paanyaya:‘Ina ng Laging Saklolo’ ay atin ngang makilala.”

Matapos ang ilang taon, heto namang muli, ngayonNagbalik sa aming buhay yaong si Fr. Mike Bacleon;Sa simbahang St. Emeric binabakas ang kahapon;Kami ng aking maybahay pasasalamat ang tugon.

Sa sandali ng pagtugtog araw ng Sabado nuon;Sino bagang magsasabi yaon na ang huling haponNiyong aming paghaharap, ligaya ng pagtutuon;Halik niya’y huling halik sa aking giliw nabunton.

Sa pagsapit ng Miyerkoles dapat siya’y magbabalik;Yaong misa at nobena tila lahat nasasabik;Si Fr. Mike ay magisngan, kanyang tinig ay marinig;Hiwaga ng Pagkabuhay, lagi niyang sinasambit.

SACRAMENTALS

by Scapular John

The St. Benedict Medal

by Deacon Rolando V. Nolasco

thE GOOd ShEPhErd


Why is the St. Benedict medal one of the most sought after medals in the world? What are some of the graces and miracles associated to this sacramental? Who was St. Benedict and what made him so famous?

The St. Benedict medal was one of the first medal sacramentals in the Catholic Church. Its greatest use has been for St. Benedict’s protection from evil. People place the St. Benedict medals on windows, over doors, in the ground, in their cars, boats, campers, on machin-ery, computers, telephones and wear or carry them on themselves for protection against the evil ones. There are countless stories attesting to this fact.

Fr. Gabriel Amorth in his book called, An Exorcist Tells His Story, Fr. Gabriel tells how the devil during an exorcism revealed how he would have turned over the very vehicle the priest came in if it had not been for the pious driver having the St. Benedict medal in his pocket.

In Ralph’s Sarchi’s book, Beware the Night, a best seller, he talks about putting a spiritual barrier around your property by the use of St. Benedict medals. A medal is buried in each corner of one’s property and the St. Michael’s prayer is said while going from corner to corner.

One lady had upstairs neighbors that were intolerable. Using the medals and a nine-day novena for St. Benedict’s intercession the people moved out.

During exorcisms and deliverance work St. Benedict is asked for his intercession in casting out devils. Many of our foods, drinks and medicines are heavily cursed. One can place the medal against the food and/or medicine or in the drink momentarily and ask St. Benedict’s intercession to break any curses and bless what it touches.

So who was St. Benedict? St. Benedict was born in Central Italy. He had a twin sister who became known as St. Scholastica. They lived around the early 1500s. He preformed many astounding miracles in his lifetime. He died March 21 in the year 543 at 63 years of age. He founded about a dozen monasteries and lived a very austere life and established a way or rule of life monks. Once, some bad monks gave him a glass of wine with poison in it. St. Benedict made the sign of the cross over it and the glass shattered. He reasoned the sign of the Cross took victory over evil. This is why one who piously wears a St. Benedict medal is protected from dying by poison. The very medal itself has the letters to this effect, I.V.B. Ipse Venena Bibas, which translated from Latin means, “Drink your poison yourself.”

The medal with its association to St. Benedict is effective against contagious disease, sickness, overcoming storms, witchcraft and temptations of the devil.

Let’s look at some of the other symbols and their meaning that is found on the St. Benedict medal. On the front of the medal is the image of St. Benedict holding a Cross. . On the left is the cracked glass of wine. On the right is a crow that St. Benedict com-manded to take the poisoned loaf of bread away.

On the back of the medal is the cross. In each quadrant are the letters C.S.P.B. It means Crux Sancti Patris Benedicti. It means The Cross of Holy Father Benedict. The letters in the vertical component of the cross are C.S.S.M.L. - May the Holy Cross be my light. The horizontal letters are N.D.S.M.D. - Non Draco Sit Mihi Dux - May the dragon be not my leader. These are some of the letters and meanings found on this unique medal.

The St. Benedict medal requires an exorcism blessing on it to make it a proper sacra-mental. Any priest can do this by reading and performing the prescribed prayer, wearing the stole and using exorcised holy water. Some of the blessings that the priest places on it are: “by their good works deserve to obtain health of mind and body, your holy grace…appear in your presence sinless and holy.”

There are many partial and plenary indulgences that can be obtained with the use of the St. Benedict medal. It is the most highly indulgenced medal in the Catholic Church. For a free list of these indulgences and how to obtain them and for more complete informa-tion about this medal, just write to us at the address below and enclose a self addressed, stamped envelope.

More information can be found about this sacramental at www.TheHolyFamily.com or

write to us at Dove Tales, PO Box 3623, Easton, PA 18043. Or call us at: 718-224-5220

One of the ancient imagery which refers to God, shepherd as an occupation was first mentioned in Genesis 4: 2. Abel was a “keeper of the sheep” in contrast to his brother who was a “tiller of the ground.” Many important figures in Israel’s history were pastoralist (the other term for shepherd) like Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Jacob’s sons, Moses and David. The economic importance of this animal meant that many villagers and townspeople tended flocks either in part-time or full-time basis. In ad-dition to being a major sacrificial animal, sheep provided the people of ancient time meat, milk, fat, wool, skin and horns. They still do in our present time. Many years back, I had the opportunity to have worked in Saudi Arabia as a veterinarian.

I was privileged to witness what is described in the Scriptures about shepherds and the sheep. Outside the boundary of the farm I was working were surrounded by small herds of sheep owned by Bedouins. Instead of herding these animals on foot though, owners conveniently move them in pick-up trucks to better pasture. The sheep continues to be a thriving venture for them even though more and bigger farms are established every now and then sitting on vast tract of lands.

I truly understand the representation of God as our Shepherd and we are the sheep of His flock. As a young boy, I helped my father in his business as a livestock buyer. I as-sisted in taking care of the animals he bought while waiting for the boat to bring them to Manila. After school and on weekends, I would pasture these animals and provided them with drinking water so that they do not lose weight. It could be boring watching these animals but I knew I had to be diligent and extra careful in watching them so they do not go astray. They have the potential to forage on crops if allowed to roam on their own. Psalm 23 identifies the basic task of shepherd: “let the flock rest in fields of green grass, lead to quiet pools of fresh water, guide in right path.” Shepherd protects them from intrud-ers and predators especially the young ones. During inclement weather conditions, they are provided shelter. The understanding of our loving God as a Shepherd is indeed fitting for what He does for us. Recall that during the exodus of the Israelites out of Egypt, the Lord protected them from the harsh elements of the desert. The clouds hovered over them at day and the light leading them at night. Manna and quails sustained them and water gushed forth from the rock. Thus the psalmist professes to have everything he needed with the Lord as his Shepherd. Old Testament Scriptures at-test that God as Shepherd never abandons us especially in most difficult moments. The lost He seeks out by leaving behind the rest of the flock in safety and gently holding in His arms once found. He manifests great joy finding the one that goes astray. He binds the wounded and nurses the sick back to health.

On the other hand, sheep like us, easily and often astray away from the flock. Seem-ingly once lost, it has difficulty in finding the route back to the herd on its own. They are known to be meek and defenseless against common predators in the wild. The mild demeanor of the sheep is emphasized in the gospel according to Matthew to explain how false prophets come to deceive many. He wrote that these men appear in sheep’s clothing but are in fact, ravenous wolves. The reason why sheep are prone to astray is because of their constant search for a better pasture nearby. I guess this observation really tells much of our human tendency to seek earthly goods rather than enrich our spiritual lives. How many successful men and women have fallen from grace because of such attraction for things of the world? So we need our Shepherd to lead us to the right path. The gospel warns us that “apart from God, we can do nothing” just like a branch cut off from the vine can never bear fruit. How comforting it is to meditate on the image of God with the lamb lovingly held in His arms.

Through all of human history, false prophets have flourished claiming to have been called by God. The Lord had expressed disgust upon leaders who have scattered and driven away the people of His flock instead of caring for them. The prophet Isaiah further described these leaders that “they do please and seek their own advantage” only. The prophet Ezekiel clearly described what these shepherds only took care of their own needs. So the prophet Jeremiah spoke the promise of the Lord that He himself will gather the scattered from every place. He will bring them back to the Promised Land. The Lord promised to raise leaders with hearts patterned after His heart. The Lord Jesus’ encounter with Peter before going back to His Father’s place specifically gave him the mission to feed His flock. It is important to listen to the real pastors if we want to heed the voice of the Lord.


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Bishop Gerald T. Walsh, D.D., the representative of New York Archbishop Timothy Dolan, D.D. was the main celebrant at the funeral mass of Fr. Mike Bacleon. It was held in St. Anne Church, 3519 Bainbridge Avenue, Bronx, New York on May 3, 2010 at 10:00 in the morning. It was attended by 23 priests with 8 Filipino priests concelebrating led by Monsignor Oscar Aquino, the Coordinator of the Filipino Clergy in New York.

Fr. Frank Scalen was the homilist who gave comfort to the family and friends of Fr. Mike. He brought the bishop’s staff and reminded the congregation of the importance of a good shepherd and Fr. Mike had contributed his part in caring the sick in the hospital.

The prayer of commendation was done by Bishop Walsh and the blessing of the body was done by the clergy, relatives and friends of Fr. Mike. His body was flown to and buried in California beside his brother who died two weeks ago.

Fr. Misael (Mike) Sarita Bacleon was born on Novem-ber 2, 1948 and died on April 28, 2010 at his residence in the Bronx. He was ordained on March 31, 1983 for the Diocese of Butuan, Mindanao, Philippines. He studied his Theology at St. Francis Xavier Major Seminary, Catalu-nan Grande, Davao City, Philippines and was assigned as pastor in the Parish of the Diocese of Butuan before coming to New York to explore his ministry in the hospital care where he experienced fulfillment in serving the sick and he was so loved by the staff and patients of Montefiore Hospital. Because he was diabetic, Monsignor Marc J. Filac-chione, the Archdiocese of New York Hospital Director gave him time for sick leave.

funeral Mass for fr. Bacleonby Fr. Romeo Hontiveros

Secretary of the Filipino Clergy in New York

“Give unto the Lord the glory due unto His name.” --- Ps. 29:2


by Ate Norma

SCARLETT CALEB QUINN ETHAN ALLISON

&FACES PLACES

ADRIAN MATIAS celebrated his 4th birthday with a party on April 17 at

the International Buffet Restaurant in Westbury, Long Island.

Above: Members of the Infant Jesus Prayer Group of Nassau at the picnic area of the Shrine of Our Lady of the Island in Eastport where the group hosted the Filipino Mass last May 2.

Right: A fund-raising Hawaiian Luau party was held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel at LaGuardia in

Queens by the Auxiliary to the Philippine Medical Association. Its current president is Filipino

Catholic Group head Eddie Antonio, seated left, with other officers of the Association ... Cleoty de Dios-Yap, Rose Calicdan, Jess Torio, Lu Ileto and

Prossy Dagdayan..

Cion Lim reacts happily as she gets ready to blow out the candle on her

birthday cake. Looking on are husband Gerry Lim, and her daughter Jean Marie

and son Michael. The birthday party was held at their home in Freeport, Long

Island on May 8 which also happened to be Mother’s Day.


facES & PlacES

First SundayFilipino Mass

at Our Lady of the Island Shrine.

More and more Filipino Catholics are attending the Tagalog Mass held every

first Sunday at the Shrine of the Our Lady of the Island. Last May 2, the host of the mass was the Infant Jesus Prayer

Group of Nassau. Fr. Joe Cadusale was the celebrant. Members of the

Handmaids of the Lord provided the music. After the mass, fellowship was

held at the picnic area behind the chapel. Cris and Elenita Vasquez made the offering during the mass.

Handmaids of the Lord Choir from Queens provided the music at the mass. Shrine Director Fr. Roy Tvrdik and Fr. Joe are seen left back row.

Fiesta Coordinator for the Santo Niño Group, Jiji Shapiro, (left) assisted in serving food during the fellowship.

Emily Reillyof God Almighty Groupturns 50.

Blessing from Fr. Tom Donohoe

Above: Emily is all smiles at the surprise party in her honor.

Right: With some members of the group who attended

the celebration at Lambrous Restaurant in Island Park, Long

Island last April 18.


facES & PlacESnJ catholic action of Mary at divine Mercy Shrine

The National Shrine of the Divine Mercy in Stockbridge, Massachusetts celebrated the feast of the Divine Mercy worldly known as Mercy Sunday on April 11, 2010. Approximate-ly 18,000 pilgrims from the different parts of the United States and other countries gathered at Eden Hill, where Holy mass was celebrated in front of the Mother of Mercy Outdoor Shrine. Bishop Ireneo Amantillo of Tandag, Surigao del Sur, Philippines was among those who con-celebrated at the mass.

Most Rev. Timothy McDonnell, bishop of Springfield was the main celebrant. Very Rev. Fr. Dan Cambra, MIC, Provincial Superior was the homilist. After the Mass, the hour of great mercy followed when the Blessed Sacrament was exposed followed by the recitation of the Divine Mercy chaplet and the blessing of the religious articles and holy water.

This year’s celebration marked the 50th year of the National Shrine of the Divine Mercy. Construction started in 1950. It was dedicated in 1960 by Most Rev. Christopher J. Weldon, Bishop of Springfield. Now this ten-acre hill is being developed and is slowly expanding and could accommodate thousands of pilgrims each year.

The Catholic Action of Mary (CAM) of the Resurrection Parish, Jersey City organized the pilgrimage the shrine. Its president is Deacon Cesar Sarmiento.

by Erlinda Franco

Erlinda Franco, left, with some members of the Catholic Action of Mary at the Shrine.

SANTO NINO GROUPAT EDEN HILL

Helen Instrella, Norma Pascual, Rudy and Emy Magpantay, Rita Stadmeyer and Zari Caingat of the Infant Jesus Prayer Group of Nassau prepare for the outdoor mass at Divine Mercy Shrine

A quick lunch before the start of Shrine activities.

Filipino Seminarian, 13 others, graduateby Fr. Romeo Hontiveros

Secretary/PRO of FCNY

On May 6, 2010 at 5:00 PM, His Excellency Archbishop Timothy M. Dolan, D.D., Archbishop of New York was the main celebrant at the St. John Neumann Seminary College Mass of Thanksgiving. It was held at the Chapel of St. Joseph Seminary, in Seminary in New York. The event was the graduation of a Filipino seminarian Andre C. Zabala and 13 others namely: Michael F. Achanyi, David Aung Hlaing, James Benavides, Mateusz Jasniewicz, Diego Jimenez, Ryan M. Lerner, Richard M. Marrano, Sheldon D. Momaney, Daniel Khiu-Ni, David Y. Rider, Robert L. Rodriguez, Frank Paul Sampino, and Christopher J. Seith.

Archbishop Dolan was also the homilist. His message was about the Gospel of John 15:9-11 – the importance of remaining in love in Jesus and remaining in love in His Church. The Mass was attended by Bishop Gerald Walsh, D.D., the Rector of St. Joseph Seminary, Fr. Luis F. Saldana, the Rector of St. John Neumann College Seminary, Fr. Luke M. Sweeney, the Formation Director, Fr. Daniel P. Oreilly the Spiritual Director, Fr. Joseph E. Franco, the Assistant Spiritual Director, and several concelebrants. The Mass was well attended by the parents and guests of the graduating class of 2010.

The Filipino Clergy in New York was led by Monsignor Oscar Aquino, the Coordinator, Fr. Romeo Hontiveros, the Secretary, and Deacon Gary Villanueva.

The Mass was followed by fellowship dinner at 6:00 PM and a short recognition program.

From left: Msgr. Oscar Aquino, Archbishop Timothy Dolan, Fr. Romeo Hontiveros and Seminarian Andrew Zabala.

Saturday, June 26, 2010


by Laura Vogel

PrOfilES in faith

ANDREA AND ROMY FLORENDO

Andrea Oliva Florendo ...

artist, author, educator ... etcetera, etcetera, etcetera!April showers bring forth May flowers, so the saying goes. Growing up in the

Philippines, in the month of May, is the daily Flores de Mayo at the Santo Nino Church in Pandacan. We are four sisters, and my mother instructed us that when she arrived from work, that we were already all dressed up in our white clothes, to be in time for the 6:30 pm Flores de Mayo. In the church, we would begin with the rosary, followed by a homily or story of a person’s life which changes from a state of sinfulness to piety. Then we would all line up in the back aisle and then process to offer fresh flowers for the Blessed Virgin Mother on the altar. Oh, al-ways the sweet scent of Azucena, Sampaguita, Rosal, Kampupot, and Champaca would fill the air.

We would line up two in a row, the youngest on the front. As we processed row by row towards the altar, the choir would sing:

“Itong bulaklak na alaySa ating birheng tunay,Ay papalitan ng tuwa sa kalangitan”For this month of May, it is but befitting that we

feature Ms. Andrea Oliva Florendo. She is an out-standing woman – author, harpist, artist, educator and TV host. She has written a book on “The Liturgy of Flowers In a Mary Garden” which is used as a reference book for Theology courses. She has also formed the “Mary Garden Guild” where the members go to garden retreats, learn to paint, and discuss the Mary Garden.

Their house in Queens she considers to be “a Marian sanctuary; an autobiographical assemblage of our faith journey. It is a place that fosters our art-istry and calling. For Romy, his wood-working and vocal recordings, and for me, the visual arts, writing, and harp playing. It is also the official home of the Mary Garden Guild which offers Art workshops on flower painting and therapeutic healing music on the harp.”Andrea and the “Mary Garden”

Andrea’s awareness of a garden started when her father planted a seed in a jar. When the green petal started to come out of the soil, she experienced a magical moment.

Andrea says,“At some point in our life, we are placed on a

spiritual path. By spirituality, I mean our inner expe-rience of nature in which we feel awe and wonder. I am certain each of us has had an encounter with the divine. I found mine in a garden.

The Word behind creation is the same mystery behind the order and beauty of paradise. For beauty is simply Divine Essence seen with the eyes of love. Because every living thing emanates from God, each utterance is sublime.

To look with awe and wonder at the world is our birthright---- ours to claim. When we are aware that it is there and meant to open our hearts to con-templation and thanksgiving, then our spirits are born again and like a flower, we unfold beautifully.”

Please visit these links to learn more about Andrea’s book: http://campus.udayton.edu/mary/resources/m_garden/overview_BR_Liturgyof-

Flowers.html, and, http://www.andreaflorendo.com/liturgy.htm.When asked about the meaning of a Mary Garden, Andrea easily quips, “ Simply,

the garden of the Virgin Mary!” She continues to explain: “We all need gardens to heal, and find direction. And a Mary Garden is a rich source of inspiration, because in it we encounter God, the Creator in creation. Something delightful happens if we allow ourselves into a Mary Garden. We begin to understand what it is to follow a spiritual path. Our Lady’s rosarium!

This path leads us to a paradise garden that is Mary who gave birth to Christ—the Tree of Life, the true flower of humanity. As we gaze at the symbolical flowers, we become aware of all that had gone through in creating them---- the sun, the soil, rain, air, the Gardener. We become grateful in turn to the Creator’s tender love and nurturing for his children, the sustaining gifts that come from Him alone. We become co-creators under His beneficence.”

Andrea, the HarpistOn May 2nd 2010, Andrea participated at St. John’s University’s Spring Concert:

Celestial Sounds Celebrating Spring where she played Celtic, celestial and healing music on the harp.

Andrea owns three sizes of Harps: small, medium, and large. I learned from Andrea that Kind David introduced the Harp musical instrument, the small size with 10 strings like the 10 Commandments. Kind David used this small harp which he played close to his body because of its size, to heal and to calm mentally

deranged persons. Andrea uses this size when she visits medical care facilities and plays to patients.

“It was while I was painting an icon, entitled “Ave Maria” in 1996 that I heard an inner prompting, “play the harp for me” which I completely ignored. Unlike the guitar, the harp did not seem readily ac-cessible. Also, the harp required an invest-ment of time, money and effort in order to achieve the desired results. I was aware of the harp in the orchestral context but it was the inner calling that drew me toward it .

It was in 1998 that I acquired a harp. But before I could have any harp les-sons, I suffered a nerve injury, and could not walk for two months. It happened while I was working in the National Museum of Catholic Art & History with no warning signs.

Redeeming me from excruciating pains took a toll between doctor’s visits and acupuncture ses-sions. Alone in the house during the day, the harp became my anchor. I would tinker the harp, and each chord was a cause for celebration. I started from playing one note to having my third and fourth fingers reach for lower strings. I was surprised how much of remembering a tune was triggered by what both hands were doing together. It was as if the strings were playing themselves for me and I was just following on cue.

The experience of feeling this wave of sound resonate against my body was almost “other worldly.” The harp possessed a mysterious abil-ity and transported me somewhere outside of the “common place” as I obtained my healing. I would like to think as St.Hildegard of Bingen did that “I am the harp of God’s kindness.”

Aside from playing in concert halls, weddings and community centers, Andrea plays occasion-ally at St. Nicholas of Tolentine Sunday Masses with Romy (her husband), on the violin and Elena Victoria Brandt, on the organ. Her energies have also been channeled in the realm of therapeutic music. She finished training with Bedside Harp at Robert Wood Johnson Hospital in New Jersey about six years ago and has played the harp in hospitals, hospices and nursing homes which she found to be all great experiences!

“The harp”, she says, “ has a long history of healing deeply rooted in the human psyche that connects people to God. To play and to listen is to vibrate together with another human being. The gift it brings is hope.”

A Family of MusiciansAndrea belongs to a musically- inclined family. Her brother, Philip is a classical

guitarist from the University of the Philippines. An older brother, Willie plays the piano by ear while two other brothers Richard and Boyer play the guitar (ouido). Her sister Thelma is a keyboardist and plays with the Immaculate Conception Prayer Group. Two younger sisters Irma Jean and Christine dabble in piano playing. It is, however, her great grandmother on her father’s side who owned and played a grand harp way back in the 18th century.”

Andrea, the ArtistOn being an artist, Andrea has this to say: “ As a self-taught artist, I continue

to explore and engage in dialogues about traditions. What is it that informs me of the style of a Master and sets it apart from the work of rank amateurs?

Many lessons have come my way by observing symbols and signs in nature. These and the cycle of seasons become springboards for an understanding of images that respond to my deepest visions. As I matured, I developed an instinct for what is essential in a great art; I am able to extract it and make it my own.

However, a designer’s taste, a designer’s eye, the personality expressed in an artist’s own work comes from within--- some of it experienced, some of it acquired. I have no doubt that much of what I am today as a designer comes in some way from my parents Nestor and Melita Oliva and the way they brought me up.

Long before art was firmly established in my mind, childhood week-ends were spent collecting objects from the garden, doing collages, and hand-made gifts. From this grounding, my imagination and creativity took flight. But it was while freelancing with Bloomingdale’s Gallery and the Winthrop Collection/ Inte-

(turn to page 19)


the Gospel truth

Join Fr. Joe’s BiBle study ClassFor more information, please call: (718) 275-3936

Most Precious Blood CharismaticPrayer CommunityMost Precious Blood Church32-23 36th StreetLong Island City, NY 11106Head Servant: Nenett Barbilla718 937 52422nd Tuesday 7:30 PM

El Shaddai Prayer CommunityMost Precious Blood Church32-23 36th StreetLong Island Ciyt, NY 11106Head Servant: Amerito Gerodias718 458 82144th Sunday 3:00 PM

Light Of Christ Prayer GroupSt. Nicholas of Tolentine150-75 Goethals AvenueJamaica, NY 11432Head Servant: Cookie Fernandez718 380 1712Last Thursday 7:30 PM

Family of Christ Prayer CommunityPresentation Church8819 Parsons Blvd., Jamaica, NY 11432Head Servant: Margie Fontanilla718 658 20781st Tuesday 7:30 PM

Mary Mother of Divine HealerSt. Gerard Majella Church188-16 91st Ave., Hollis, NY 11423Head Servant: Raymonde Cesaire718 445 44231st Friday 7:30 PM

Haitian Community90-33 184th PlaceHollis, NY 11423Head Servant: Alberte Madame Delatur718 454 85723rd Tuesday 7:30 PM

Filipino Community Our Lady of Angels2860 Webb Ave., Bronx, NY 10468Head Servant: Josette Camino718 543 08842nd Saturday 7:30 PM

Divine Mercy Devotion Our Lady of Victories2217 Kennedy Blvd., Jersey City, NJ 07304Head Servant: Tess Alvarez4th Friday 7:00 PM

St. John Prayer Community272 Boyd AveJersey City, NJ 07304Head Servant: Purita Vasquez201 333 31363rd Monday 7:00 PM

St. Nicholas Prayer Group122 Ferry St.Jersey City, NJ 07307Head Servant: Elsa Leonida210 656 20101st Sunday 6:30 PM

Puissance Divine D’Amore820 Wallace AveBaldwin, NY 11510Head Servant: Yvrose Saint-Urban516 378 81732nd Thursday 7:30 PM

Home Bound Bible StudySt. Rose of Lima269 Parkville AveCoordinator: Violeta Robbins718 677 81311st Saturday 2:00 PM

The Vine & the Branches IncarnationPrayer Group92-19 212th St., Queens Village, NY 11428Head Servant: Ofelia Villar718 465 00873rd Friday 7:00 PMFamily of God160-31 78th Rd

Sacred Heart Family Apostolate37-74 6th St.Woodside, NY 11377Head Servant: Remy Consoli718 424 79842nd Sunday 6:30 PM

English Community161 Le Grand St.Brentwood, NY 11717Coordinator: Rose Nallie Germain631 231 87581st Thursday 7:30 PM

Filipino Catholic453 Hawthorne AvenueUniondale, NY 11553Coordinator: Dr. Norma Pascual516 2921445Last Monday 8:00 PM

Handmaid of the Lord/Couples for Christ202-35 Foothill Ave., A-38Hollis, NY 11423Head Servant: Dolly Pawal718 468-8463Last Sunday 6:30 PM

San Sebastian Charismatic Prayer Group39-63 57th St.Woodside, NY 11377Head Servant: Loida Villacompa201-993-55994th Monday of a 5-Monday Month, 8 PM

Our Lady Queen of Martyrs110-06 Queens Blvd.Forest Hills, NY 11375Head Servant: Nellie Milite718 544 51412nd Friday 7:30 PM

Haitian Community16339 130th Ave., Apt 5CJamaica, NY 11434-3014Head Servant: Raymonde Cesaire718 481 96834th Saturday 7:00 PM

Flushing, NY 11366Coordinator: Perla Leonardo(718) 591-45792nd Friday, 9:00 PM

The Lord’s Flock Prayer GroupSta. Rita281 Bradley Ave., Staten Island, NY 10314Coordinator: Myrna Leyson718 983 14103rd Saturday 8:00 PM

Filipino CommunityOur Lady of the Angelus63-63 98th St., Rego Park, NY 11374Coordinator: Ofelia Concepcion(718) 897-44442nd Monday 7:30 PM

Saint Martin de Porres Healing MinistryFlushing Chapter86-60 Range St., Bellrose, NY 11427Coordinator: Sylvia David(718) 913-69223rd Thursday 8:00 PM

St. Anne Prayer Group3545 Kennedy Blvd Jersey City, NJ 07307Coordinator: Tina Edelmann(201) 653-47855th Friday 7:30 p.m.

Dominican NunsCorpus Christi Monastery1230 Lafayette Ave., Bronx, NY 10474Coordinator: Sr. Maria Pia718 328 6996Last Saturday, 9 AM

God the Father/I Am Prayer Group150-38 Union Turnpike, Apt. 5-OFlushing, NY 11367Coordinator: Cecilia Pang718-380-09222nd Saturday, 2:00 PM

by Rev. Joe Cadusale

At the Ascen-sion of the Lord, as the disciples gaze in amazement, two Angels appear and ask, “Why are you standing there looking at the sky?” (Acts 1:9-11). Are they saying, “Okay, enough prayer, now it is time to get busy?” Yes, this is the Lord’s great commis-sion “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations.” (Mat 28:19). What a

lively church ours would be if only we really answered the call to be disciples of the Lord in mission! Many people mistakenly consider evangelization a mere outreach, being hospitable and looking for people to invite to the parish community. But that is hardly the essence or even the main point.

For the Church, evangelization is the fundamental framework in which it understands its identity and mission. Evangelization has to do with the calling of each and every baptized person.

At the Second Vatican council, this vision of the church as a communion of “disciples of Jesus Christ in mission” was firmly planted in at least two major documents, “Gaudium et Spes” and “Ad Gentes.” Pope Paul II added his own term, “new evangeli-zation,” to refer to the urgent need to proclaim the message among already baptized Catholics who have not really experienced a personal relationship with the Lord. Pope Benedict XVI has certainly continued this process not only on maintaining their parishes but on transforming them so that they see themselves as missionary.

The late Cardinal Avery Dulles wrote about the “evangelizing parish,” lamenting that the vast majority of parishes tend to be fo-cused on maintenance, not mission. Every Christian is called to be an evangelist, to spread the Good News. Let us claim the Lord’s promise “when everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am.” (John 14:3).

Fr. Joe Cadusale with altar servers who served during the Filipino Mass held at the Shrine of Our Lady of the Island in Eastport, Long Island last May 2. From left: LeeAnne Valenzuela, Fr. Joe, John Valenzuela and Maryanne Valenzuela

CATECHISMLet’s study the

Come Holy Spirit, Come.

(Continued from last month)

by Sonia S. Salerni

Source: The Catechism of the Catholic Church to be continued ...


II. THE CHURCH’S ORIGIN, FOUNDATION AND MISSION 758 We begin our investigation of the Church’s mystery by meditating on her origin in the Holy Trinity’s plan and her progressive realization in history.

A plan born in the Father’s heart 759 “The eternal Father, in accordance with the utterly gratuitous and mysterious design of His wisdom and goodness, created the whole universe and chose to raise up men to share in His own divine life,” to which He calls all men in His Son. “The Father . . . determined to call together in a holy Church those who should believe in Christ.” This “family of God” is gradually formed and takes shape during the stages of human history, in keeping with the Father’s plan. In fact, “already present in figure at the beginning of the world, this Church was prepared in marvellous fashion in the history of the people of Israel and the old Advance. Established in this last age of the world and made manifest in the outpouring of the Spirit, it will be brought to glorious completion at the end of time.”

The Church- foreshadowed from the world’s beginning 760 Christians of the first centuries said, “The world was created for the sake of the Church.” God created the world for the sake of communion with His divine life, a communion brought about by the “convocation” of men in Christ, and this “convocation” is the Church. The Church is the goal of all things, and God permitted such painful upheavals as the angels’ fall and man’s sin only as occasions and means for displaying all the power of His arm and the whole measure of the love He wanted to give the world: Just as God’s will is creation and is called “the world,” so His intention is the salvation of men, and it is called “the Church.”

The Church - prepared for in the Old Covenant 761 The gathering together of the People of God began at the moment when sin destroyed the communion of men with God, and that of men among themselves. The gathering together of the Church is, as it were, God’s reaction to the chaos provoked by sin. This reunification is achieved secretly in the heart of all peoples: “In every nation anyone who fears Him and does what is right is acceptable” to God.762 The remote preparation for this gathering together of the People of God begins when He calls Abraham and promises that he will become the father of a great people. Its immediate preparation begins with Israel’s election as the People of God. By this election, Israel is to be the sign of the future gathering of All nations. But the prophets accuse Israel of breaking the covenant and behaving like a prostitute. They announce a new and eternal covenant. “Christ instituted this New Covenant.”

The Church - instituted by Christ Jesus 763 It was the Son’s task to accomplish the Father’s plan of salvation in the fullness of time. Its accomplishment was the reason for His being sent. “The Lord Jesus inaugurated His Church by preaching the Good News, that is, the coming of the Reign of God, promised over the ages in the scriptures.” To fulfill the Father’s will, Christ ushered in the Kingdom of heaven on earth. The Church “is the Reign of Christ already present in mystery.”764 “This Kingdom shines out before men in the word, in the works and in the presence of Christ.” To welcome Jesus’ word is to welcome “the Kingdom itself.” The seed and beginning of the Kingdom are the “little flock” of those whom Jesus came to gather around Him, the flock whose shepherd He is. They form Jesus’ true family. To those whom He thus gathered around Him, He taught a new “way of acting” and a prayer of their own.765 The Lord Jesus endowed His community with a structure that will remain until the Kingdom is fully achieved. Before all else there is the choice of the Twelve with Peter as their head. Representing the twelve tribes of Israel, they are the foundation stones of the new Jerusalem. The Twelve and the other disciples share in Christ’s mission and His power, but also in His lot. By all His actions, Christ prepares and builds His Church. 766 The Church is born primarily of Christ’s total self-giving for our salvation, anticipated in the institution of the Eucharist and fulfilled on the cross. “The origin and growth of the Church are symbolized by the blood and water which flowed from the open side of the crucified Jesus.” “For it was from the side of Christ as He slept the sleep of death upon the cross that there came forth the ‘wondrous sacrament of the whole Church.’”As Eve was formed from the sleeping Adam’s side, so the Church was born from the pierced heart of Christ hanging dead on the cross.

The Church - revealed by the Holy Spirit 767 “When the work which the Father gave the Son to do on earth was accomplished, the Holy Spirit was sent on the day of Pentecost in order that He might continually sanctify the Church.” Then “the Church was openly displayed to the crowds and the spread of the Gospel among the nations, through preaching, was begun.” As the “convocation” of all men for salvation, the Church in her very nature is missionary, sent by Christ to all the nations to make disciples of them.768 So that she can fulfill her mission, the Holy Spirit “bestows upon [the Church] varied hierarchic and charismatic gifts, and in this way directs her.” “Henceforward the Church, endowed with the gifts of her founder and faithfully observing His precepts of

charity, humility and self-denial, receives the mission of proclaiming and establishing among all peoples the Kingdom of Christ and of God, and she is on earth the seed and the beginning of that kingdom.”

The Church - perfected in glory 769 “The Church . . . will receive its perfection only in the glory of heaven,” at the time of Christ’s glorious return. Until that day, “the Church progresses on her pilgrimage amidst this world’s persecutions and God’s consolations.” Here below she knows that she is in exile far from the Lord, and longs for the full coming of the Kingdom, when she will “be united in glory with her king.” The Church, and through her the world, will not be perfected in glory without great trials. Only then will “all the just from the time of Adam, ‘from Abel, the just one, to the last of the elect,’ . . . be gathered together in the universal Church in the Father’s presence.”

The beautiful tradition of crowning the Blessed Mother as Queen of heaven and earth took place at St. Thomas Aquinas Church on Hendrickson Street, Brooklyn. It is the oldest church in that neighborhood. Rev. Peter Gopaul officiated the crowning last May 2 assisted by first communion children, the Legion of Mary, the Rosary Society and members of the congregation.

May, when the flowers are in bloom, is the month dedicated to our Blessed Mother. The crowning is a yearly activity of the Rosary Society, a multi ethnic religious organization at Saint Thomas Aquinas. The spring weather, made the crowning of the statue of the Blessed Lady possible in the lawn of the church. The first communion group of children offered flowers. Pastor of the church, Fr. Thomas V. Doyle, Sr. Denise Dolan, pastoral associate, Mary Ann Dean, president of the Rosary Society and Mary Scarloto, president of the Legion of Mary along with the officers and members of the Marian organizations and the parishioners, witnessed the crowning. After the reading of the litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary by Fr. Gopaul, the children made the floral offering followed by the crowning of the blessed Mother. The ceremony ended with the final blessing of the priest.

by Erlinda Franco

BrOOKlyndEVOtEES

crOWnBlESSEdMOthEr

aSQUEEn

Of hEaVEn

andEarth


P I L G R I M A G E T O

“The Lady of Nations is sent by her Lord

and Creator so that “under this title

and through the prayer, she may deliver

the world from great catastrophe”

May 29, 2010 Saturday

9:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

9:30 a.m. Arrival/Assembly

10:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. Confessions

10:00 a.m. Welcome Hymn by Our Lady of Guadalupe Music Ministry of NJ

10:15 a.m. First Talk: Bro. Josefino Rona: Mariologist

11:00 a.m. Second Talk: Rev. Fr. Bill Halbing:

International Bible Preacher/Healer

12:00 p.m. Angelus/ Lunch

1:00 p.m. Rosary Walk

1:45 p.m. Third Talk : Rev. Fr. Angelo Geiger FI : Air Maria Host

2:35 p.m. Preparation for Mass

2:45 p.m. Concelebrated Mass

3:45 p.m. Coronation, Consecration , Benediction

4:00 p.m. Rosary procession to the top of the shrine

4:30 p.m. Prayer for priests / Song to the Lady of All

Nations / Salve Regina / Farewell

5:00 p.m. Proceed to exit.

Bring your lunch or call shrine if you want to order packed lunch 6313250661

(All bus coordinators will see to it that the bus leaves until all activities are finished . I asked the bus owner to consider . Events in the hall is until 4 p.m. The shrine opens until dusk.)

Contacts: NY : Elena: 718-6332482;

Concepcion: 718-4241260, Susan: 7187791553, NJ: Leonia/ Bergenfield: Betty: 201-5920017,

Gloria: 2015673048; Jersey City : Tina: 201 9364009, Luz ;201 3286120

Brooklyn; Ana: 718 768 9226, Emma/Vangie: 3476127896,

SI: Thelma: 7183703628 Upstate NY : Margie: 9147140854

Children ages 5-14 are welcome to offer flowers in white dresses or traditional dresses during offertory and at

crowning .

For more information about the event call:Elena (718) 6332482

For Directions call:(631) 3250661

Day of Prayer in Honor of

The Lady of All Nations

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Father, send

now your Spirit all over the world, let

the Holy Spirit live in the hearts of all

nations that they may be preserved from

degeneration, disaster and war , may The

Lady of All Nations , the Blessed Virgin

Mary be our Advocate . Amen

A Ministry of the Montfort Missionaries

ScheduleP I L G R I M A G E T O






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Schedule

Value is in the Eyes of . . .

rEal EStatE

by Robert Fernandez


You have heard the expression, “Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder.” In real estate, a home’s market value is in the eyes of the homebuyer. Home sellers should find out from professionals what’s currently happening in their own market – meaning their particular community. Each community has its own price trend as all real estate is local. Although most communities are still experiencing various degrees of decreasing home values, a few have recovered and even appear to having an upward trend.

Most home sellers recognize the current buyers’ market and price their homes realistically and competitively. However, a few are stubborn and insisting that their houses are worth a lot more than the competition. They claim they have done renovations (some 15 or more years ago) and spent so much money on their house (they even give value to their time spent on looking and buying materials). Homebuyers comparison shop and get the best value for their money as any other consumer. When consumers look for cars and appliances, they shop around and go for the best deal. These items cost a lot less than buying a house. How much more if they’re buying the biggest item they’ll ever buy in their lives.

So there you are. The sellers may think they have a Taj Mahal. However, it is the buy-ers out there who determine the market value by the offers and counteroffers they make. Remember, most homes have some form of financing so lenders require appraisals to make sure that the homes as collateral are really worth as stated in the purchase agree-ment. Ultimately, the value is in the eyes of the appraiser. If the appraiser agrees with the purchase price then life goes on. If she comes up with a lower value and the parties to the transaction can not agree on a compromise, the deal may fall apart - simply a reality in real estate life.

Robert L. Fernandez, Certified Residential Specialist and Notary Public, is the Broker of Realty Network in East Meadow, New York. He can be reached at 516-542-7936 and by email: [email protected].

rior Design in late 1990s that my artistic career soared.” Please visit http://www.andreaflorendo.com/artist.htm.

“Mary: The Masterpiece”, is a collection of 12 Renaissance-inspired Marian icons, altarpieces and retables that Andrea created in a period of ten years till 2000. After the unveiling of her first icon, Our Lady of Immigrants in St. Joseph’s Church (Brooklyn) in 1992, she got involved with the whole artistic endeavor while working full time at the museum. Andrea had a whole series of a travelling exhibit to galleries and museums here, in Europe, and in Manila.

Just like in music where Andrea, her husband, and children are musicians, they all are artists as well. Romy designs and hand-carves the architectural frames. The eldest son, Giovanni, is a visual artist and graphic designer who did the cal-ligraphy of the paintings, and the cover of Andrea’s book and CD covers. The second, Michaelangelo, is an illustrator and graphic designer who help produce documentary films for public consumption.

Andrea explains how the creative process has transformed her:“Truth is a mystery. To arrive at it has resulted in profound experiences that

enhanced my ability to see and transcend the “how” in order to get at the “why.” The essence of the Virgin Mary and the paintings that grew out of them were the result of a long effort on my part to understand the sources of my feelings and imaginations.

In a sense, the paintings became a symbol for me of my inner self working the small pieces of my life into a whole, following a response to the Spirit that ex-pressed itself only in the making. How that process worked, I could not be certain. But I do understand that the reason it might have worked for me was I remained loyal to who I was --an open heart on which God poured himself in abundance.”

Andrea, an educatorAndrea is on the faculty of St. John’s University, Department of Theology and

Religious Studies teaching Theology of Mary and the Saints and Perspectives to Christianity. She is also involved intermittently with other endeavors, notably public education through television ( for EWTN and THE NET, the Prayer Channel), on-line courses, lectures/art workshops, concerts and she owns publications (books, limited edition prints & lithographs, greeting cards, CDs, video).

For Andrea’s on-line curriculum on the Mary Garden for 5th graders and up, go to this link: “Medieval and Renaissance Art: Botanical Symbolism” log on to: www.artsedge.kennedy -center .org/content/3814

The Mary’s Garden Guild As stated earlier, Andrea leads the Mary’s Garden Guild where to be a mem-

ber, one buys the book “The Liturgy of Flowers In a Mary Garden” from Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble, or from her, and pays the annual membership fees. In this regard, Andrea holds a garden retreat in the summer including going to the Westbury Garden or the Bronx Botanical Garden. She says, “The practicum of harp music and the art of flower painting are experienced at a botanical garden or educational facility. She adheres to traditional and 13th century garden verses as

inspirations. “Also, plain songs or hymns to the Virgin Mary”, she adds. “Epithets praising the Virgin’s beauty and saluting her with titles such as “ glistening lily,” “verdure of spring,” “a balsam,” “a morning dew” pokes out through the chords and provide a palette of possibilities on the listener’s heart.”

“Clearly, the religious sentiments expressed here may seem alien to twenty-first century mind. But harp therapy has long been recognized in ancient societies and systems of healing. “In fact, in ancient times,” says Andrea, “ the harp was a medical instrument. David, one of the best kings of Israel because he united a divided kingdom, was also an instrument maker (lyre and harp) and he used the harp in many times over in healing people of their depression and illnesses.”

Andrea shares her thoughts with the Filipino Catholic readers:Visual art, like Christian faith itself is at home in the region of sign and symbol

in the world --- the realm in which divine meanings are not so much stated as they are evoked or illuminated. I’d like to believe that God speaks and works through the channels of creativity and aesthetic sensitivity. What God has done and given in Christ becomes for us not only the heart of the gospel itself but also the way and living in this world.

Integral to our society are values, memories, religion and culture that piece the whole multi-cultural society together. What might we hope to accomplish? We hope we could succeed in celebrating our cultural heritage , its rich artistic diversity and find our unity.

Air travel, internet, television, and technology have made it possible for all of us to experience a global community. We speak our own minds and share our own cultural legacies. We know what we want and are responsible for the quality of life that you and I share. I think it all stems from the desire to be authentic and true that are conveyed in how we live, think and feel .

But the world is changing rapidly. And we must do all we can to preserve the quality of life that we value. As artists, we must continue to plug creativity into our energy, seek ways to share and communicate it. By creativity, I mean anything that we create, whether it is just a loaf of bread, a pottery, a hand-made card, a quilt. It could also mean the fellowship that we share in our homes, parish ministries and in our work places.

Traditions and customs come and go. But a sense of beauty and order, a rev-erence for life, a celebration of the holy, a consideration towards others, — these are eternal. These are the bases upon which we hope to build on a more visual, kinder world!

I am completely affected by Andrea’s thoughts and talents. Where before I drudgingly water my mother-in-law’s house plants, I now look at the leaves and flowers and in each part, feels God’s presence…Thank you, Andrea, for opening our eyes and heart.

Andrea Oliva Florendo ... from page 15


Saint Martin dE POrrES PrayEr and hEalinG MiniStry

HOLY WEEK ACTIVITIES OF THE ST MARTIN DE PORRES HEALING MINISTRY

by Sylvia David

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because of which He has anointed me.” Luke 4:16-21

Sister Josephine Garcia Dichoso led the members of the St. Martin de Porres Healing Ministry at prayers of reflection for the Holy Week. She reminded every member of the ministry how God helps us to overcome our daily sufferings in life. She quoted from Pope Benedict XVI, in his Easter Message, “Without Christ’s sacrifice and resurrection, life would be without hope and human destiny would end only in death.” Sister Josephine emphasized that through our reflections during Holy Week, we learn to live in humility.

Holy Thursday morning was spent with visitation of the fourteen Catholic Churches signifying the 14 Stations of the Cross, spending moments of prayers and reflection, meditating on the sufferings of our Lord. In the evening, the group attended the Lord’s Supper service at Holy Rosary Church in East Harlem. The washing of the feet of the twelve apostles symbolizes the way God washes our sins by granting us His forgiveness. St. Martin de Porres Healing Ministry Choir sung inspirational songs during the mass which was followed by the procession of the Blessed

Sacrament. Silence, reflection and prayers were offered in adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.On Good Friday, the St. Martin de Porres Healing Ministry Choir participated in the Lord’s Passion at Holy Rosary

Church.Holy Saturday: Members of the St. Martin de Porres Healing Ministry Choir in completion of the Tridium, led the

whole congregation in the singing of the Psalms at Holy Rosary Church.

SCHEDULEPrayer Healing Service by Sister Josephine G. Dichoso follows immediately after 5 PM mass every Saturday at Holy Rosary Church - 444 East 119th Street, New York, NY 10035

For details, please contact :Sylvia David - 718-913-6922 Malou Cadiz - 718-762-2798

Miranda Ortiaga - 917-974-4142

Easter Vigil Celebration at Holy Rosary Church. (L-R) Fr. Abel Alvarez, Vic & Sylvia David, Sister Josie, Mila & Noe Dichoso, Malou Cadiz, Virgie Socorro, Rita (parishioner), Hannibal Lopez (back) & Fr. Angel Dulanto.

Sister Josie beside the Resurrected Christ at Holy Rosary Church.


Sunday, June 13, 2010St. Ladislaus Church18 Richardson Pl, Hempstead, NY

Tel. (516) 489-03681:30 pm - Novena and Procession

2:30 pm - Concelebrated Mass

DEVOTIONAL PRAYERSBLESSING OF SANTO NIÑO IMAGES

and Presentation of 2010 Hermanita

PRECIOUS SAHAGUN(Pot Luck Reception follows at school auditorium)

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CALLFiesta Coordinator Jiji Shapiro (516) 921-2926

Cris & Nita Vasquez - (516) 931-5229Sol & Tony Sahagun - (516) 486-4009

Mario & Edna Sarmiento - (516) 214-4910Gil & Elsa Vergara - (516) 286-1970

Toots & Zeny Berroya - (516) 869-8202Rita Stadmeyer - (516) 851-5107

Jun & Eden Gaceta - (516) 942-0203Jun & Armely Novenario - (516) 390-7852Mike & Marissa Fahim - (516) 735-1631Lalaine & Tony Nassiri - (516) 626-1758Rodel & Marites Revilla - (516) 644-2409

Tony & Edna Lobacz - (516) 481-0158Ching Atienza - (516) 233-8121

Manny & Norma Pascual - (516) 292-1445 Fr. James Dineros - (631) 645-3255

Music by The Rosedale Santo Niño Prayer Group

The Infant Jesus Prayer Group of Nassau

cordially invites you to its

29th FIESTAIN HONOR OF

naSSaU SantO ninO GrOUPnaMES fiESta hEad & hErManita

The members of the Infant Jesus Prayer Group of Nassau are all getting ready for the coming 29th anniversary celebration of the Group. The affair will be held on June 13 at St. Ladislaus Church in Hempstead, New York.

The group has chosen Jiji Shapiro, to coordinate this year’s fiesta. The Fiesta Coordinator is an ardent devotee of the Santo Nino and regularly hosts the novena to the Holy Child with her family. Her mother, Josie Buzeta, is also a devotee of the Infant Jesus.

Jiji, who was a social worker, is married to Robert Shapiro. They both live in Syosset with their two sons, Michael, 20, and Marc 14.

This year’s Hermanita is Angelita Lois Sahagun who is known to inti-mates and friends as Precious. She is the daughter of Sol and Tony Saha-gun. Her sister, Angelica, was the Hermanita in 2008. They all live in East Meadow with the youngest brother, Andrew.

Precious is a freshman at East Meadow High School where she excels academically and is very active in theater arts. She had played the part of Verruca Salt in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Lucy in Charlie Brown and Lily St. Regis in Annie. She’s a member of St. Raphael Church’s music ministry where she sings at the 10 a.m. mass every Sunday.

Precious also does community service by entertaining residents of nursing homes. She and her siblings are talented dancers and provide entertainment in many Filipino gatherings, church related functions and private parties.

Precious is a good role model for teens because she shares her God given talents and blessings from above.

Maria ‘Jiji’ Shapiro2010 Fiesta Coordinatorof theInfant JesusPrayer Group of Nassau

PreciousAngelita

LoisSahagun

2010 Hermanitaof the

Infant JesusPrayer Group

of Nassau


Prayer toSaint Martin De PorreS

St. Martin de Porres, you always had sympathy for the poor and those who were suffering. I need your help and now ask for it with great confidence in your goodness and power. The favor you received from God encourage us now to ask your intercession. We ask you most humbly to befriend us and assist us from your place in heaven. When you were here on earth you spent your life loving God and your neighbor. Now that you live in the presence of God, intercede for us and beg the Divine Physician to give us health of soul and body. Amen. JCC

Virgin of the BarangayIf you wish to sponsor a novena to Our Lady in your home, please call:

Bayani Villaver (201) 451-1669Aida Manlangit (973) 335-4435 Josette Camino (347) 879-3674Cora Mendoza (973) 364-5241Maria Sulat (201) 386-1132Myrna Agustin (201) 222-6365Fred Soliva (718) 365-9253Norrie Cornelio (212) 777-2662

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Second MonthVirgin Mary, we pray for families; first for our

own, then for those of our friends and neigh-bors.

We entrust them all to your care; those who are happy and prospering, those who are in plain and suffering and all who are having difficulties and failures. Those spouses who are living a difficult marriage need your help now.

Oh! And the children! Protect the poor little ones living in troubled families. Be a mother to the children of homes broken by divorce and separation.

From the depths of our hearts we pray for this special intention …

Remember the day you mourned your spouse, St. Joseph. Please console all those who now must live with an empty place at their side.

Support grandparents in their old age. Be close to old people who are abandoned to their loneliness.Our Lady of the Cape, bless fathers and moth-ers, that they may find happiness and fulfill-ment in their love for each other and for their children. JCC

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a. “Suggest-your-choice-of-Pilgrimage” PackageEvery13th of the month starting from May to Oct - Fatima

In June, Sacred Heart Shrine in Francec. 5-day or a week Tour for less than a thousand

Destinations: Fatima, Medjugorge, Rome-papal audience, Shrines of Italy and/or Krakow.

* Around 10 persons in every package tour with a priest. CALL 718.606.1873 or 917.607.6137 for reservations.

Boxes to the PhilippinesPromo: Pick-Up Only

Padala 5, Libre 1Padala 10, Libre 2

Rates:Manila - $59Luzon - $69

Visayas/Mindanao - $79

Take advantage of the FREE BILINGUAL LIBRARY. DIVINE MERCY IMAGES - ON SALE NOW!!! Come to

our office to view display.Also Available: AFFORDABLE

RELIGIOUS ITEMS- Any religious articles ,books and gifts can be ordered at the

store at discounted prices.Small profit will help maintain the place.

- Philippine Library Crusade - tax deductible $500 donation for a religious library at their designated parish church in the Philippines consisting of religious

DVDs, books, TV and VCR.

2010 HIGHLIGHTS of EUROPE PILGRIMAGE (at cost & sponsored by Ilo-cost Travel and Sacred Heart Family Apostolate) Only $1950 plus 20% travelling priest or tourist guide which includes airfare, eurail fare, transfers, hotels and breakfasts. City tour like Rome and Paris, Passion Play is optional. Request for religious sites not mentioned are ac-cepted with group and schedule approval. Highlights are indicated from June to October. Please call or email at sacredheartfamilyapostolate@yahoo,.com, Call 718-424 -7984 or cell 917 607 6137FINAL ITINERARY-- May 12-27.ONLY AT COST PRICE..WOW !!!!ONLY AROUND $1500 LAND PACKAGE FOR 15DAYS includes eurail fare for 15days.(additional on airfare and Passion play ticket ),PAY your airfare,tour to famous religious sites in Europe or call usMay 12 Newark Continental depart to lisbon(7 hrs flight)May 13 Lisbon 8am,Bus to Fatima joining the papal visit Sleep hereMay 14 Pass by Santarem .Night Eurail to Lourdes,May 15 Lourdes.Nigtht eural to Paris.sleep hereMay 16 Paris-Miraculous Medal,View the incorruptibles-St Vincent de Paul,St Catherine,St Bernadette,etc Night eurail to MunichMay 17 Arrival in Munich then in Obbermergau for the passion play on the 18Sleep here for two nightsMay 19-Early am to Prague.See the famous Infant Jesus Night eurail to KrakowMay 20 Krakow for the famous Divine Mercy.Night trip to ViennaMay 21 Vienna then to Turin,if theres time see the Cure D’Ars and Paray le Muy (Sacred Heart) and possible Our Lady of LaSalette but view Turin on the 22Sleep two nights hereMay 23 ,24,25,26-Am trilp to start on many Italian religious sites like Siena, Loreto,Lancianoi,Gargano-Padre Pio,Monte Cassino-St Bemedict,Assis,St.Clare,St Rita and Rome many rel.sites and relicsMay 27-Depart for US.

1. Sacred Heart Family Apostolate (64th St.) •FamilyLibrary,Club--assistinstartingreligiouslibraries •2ndSundayBibleStudy,FamilyMonthlySupportGroupMeetings •AssistinHomeEnthronementoftheTwoHearts2. Quallity Hands Placement Co. - Employment Services (64th St.)3. NY Construction - Licensed and Bonded (64th St.)4. Taxes - Authorized IRS E-File Provider (64th St.)5. BPI MONEY REMITTANCE-WOODSIDE. Main BPI in Queens. Send Money to the Philippine, only $7. 718-606-1873 / UNITELLER / PLACID”6.EastCoastLlifesavers,Inc.-ACLSandBCLS,andNCLEXreview(64thSt.)7. FedEx Authorized Dealer - 64 St. and Roosevelt8. Five Star RP Sea Cargo, Inc - Special Drop-off Rates: $49-Manila, $54-Luzon, $59-Visayas/Mindanao.718-606-1873.718-606-2670.ORGlobalCargo-Pick- uponly.Minimumof5,ONEFREE.Ratesareasfollows:$59-Manila,$69- Luzon, $79-Visayas/Mindanao9.BambooHutGrillandJuiceBar-OpeninglateSeptember.Locatedat39-08 64th Street, Woodside, NY 11377. 718-606-0551.10.WoodsideMailboxrentals.11.WaterAlkalineandAnti-Oxidant,KangenorUniversalCompany. Call 718-606-187312.FusionExceldistributor,displayofproductsatofficeof37-7464St.additionalincomegeneratingforSacredHeartFamilyApostolate.Comejoinustothisnewopportunityforhealth,beauty,moneyandgoodfellowshipamongotherdenomi-nations.NonprofitincomealsofortheHopefortheChildren 13.WebdesignsandunlimitedlongdistancecallstoUSandsurrouindingcoun-tries. MULTIPLY FOR BUSINESS INCOME 24/7GlobalExposureintheworld.CallforQuotes9176076137 14.NewLimoServicec/oIlo-costTravel-sameaddress

FUSION EXCEL---VERY POPULAR AMONG

ASIANS AND FILIPINOS including President Arroyo,Imelda Marcos and the secret of

Pacquiao Introducing SCALAR ENERGY WHICH SAFEGUARDS

AGAINS MANY DISEASES AND RADIATION CAUSED

BYMAN MADE MACHINES LIKE MICROWAVE,TV,COMPUTER,CELL PHONES,ETC.DEMO,DISPLAY OF PRODUCTS AT OUR OFFICE SEE IMMEDIATE GOOD EFFECT.MANY

TESTIMONIALS ,CALL 917 607 6137

ADDRESS-3774 64 ST WOODSIDE,NY


FOR LEGAL HELP IN ANY STATE OF THE

U.S.A. ONWorking VisasLabor CertificationImmigrant PetitionsCitizenship

Atty. Wilfrido E. Panotes, Jr., Ph.D.

(Practicing Immigration & Naturalization Law since 1973)

• LL.B.(AteneodeManila);A.B.,Ph.B.,Ph.L.(UST);M.A.(FordhamUniv.);Ph.D.(GraduateTheological

Foundation-Indiana/Oxford/Rome)

• Admitted:NewJersey,NewYorkandPhilippineBars

• Member:AssociationofImmigrationandNationalityLaw-yers;NationalLawyersAssociation

3000KennedyBlvd.,Suite303JerseyCity,N.J.07306Tel. (201) 963-5565Tel. (212) 244-0581Fax (201) 798-0636

MAILINGADDRESS72 Van Reipen Avenue

PMB#405JerseyCity,NJ07306

CALL:

cOME, JOin OUr

filiPinO MaSS Every first Sunday of the month

at the Shrine ofOur lady of the island

Eastport, long island, new york

Mass in tagalog at 1:30 p.m.preceded by rosary in tagalog

Directions: Head east on LIE, then take exit 70 South on Port Jefferson-Westhampton (Capt. Daniel Roe Hwy - Route 111). Drive for a couple of miles, then turn right to Eastport Manor Rd. and follow the signs to the Shrine.

Visit the Shrine’s website at:www.OurLadyoftheIsland.org

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CALL:

Primo&TessieCarlos(631)325-1177

InfantJesusPrayerGroupofNassau •Manny&NormaPascual(516)292-1445

•Ben&LouIleto(516)433-2338•NitaVasquez(516)931-5229•GildaAbejar(516)476-7274•ZenyBerroya(516)869-8202•EdenGaceta(516)942-0203

•ElsaVergara(516)640-5580

•Helen&PeterBuniGoodSamaritanPrayerGroup(631)543-8775

•IndayDinerosSantoNiñoPrayerGroupofSuffolk(516)822-0270

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